Channel Tunnel : deputation to the Prime Minister : full details of the present scheme, military, engineering, financial ... / edited by W. Turner Perkins.

  • Channel Tunnel Company.
Date:
1913
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Channel Tunnel : deputation to the Prime Minister : full details of the present scheme, military, engineering, financial ... / edited by W. Turner Perkins. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    Questions to the Prime Minister— House of Commons, April, 1913. CHANNEL TUNNEL. 49 and 50. Mr. Fell asked the Prime Minister (i) if any communications have passed in recent years between the French and British Governments with regard to the construction of the Channel Tunnel; if the French Government still view the project favourably ; and (2) if the question of the construction of the Channel Tunnel has been before the Imperial Defence Committee recently, and if the matter is still under consideration ? The Prime Minister : No such communications as are referred to have passed in recent years. I am not in possession of the views of the French Government on this subject. No detailed examination of the Channel Tunnel project has been carried out by the Committee of Imperial Defence since February, 1907. Sir W. Byles : Could the right hon. gentleman say whether our Government is favourable ? The Prime Minister : No, Sir, I cannot say either “ Yes ” or “ No.” [Official Report, 9th April, 1913.] 53. Mr. Fell asked if the question of the strategic advantages which may follow from the construction of a Channel Tunnel between England and France has been before the Committee of Imperial Defence recently ? The Prime Minister : As I recently informed the hon. Member, no detailed examination of this project has been carried out by the Committee of Imperial Defence since the early part of 1907. Mr. Fell : Might I ask if it has come before them in any form, and not only for detail examination ? The Prime Minister : I do not think it is very desirable to answer that kind of question. There are many confidential matters which come before the Com- mittee of Imperial Defence. It has not been seriously considered since 1907. Sir W. Byles : Might the House of Commons and the public know whether the Government of the country is favourable or unfavourable to the scheme ? The Prime Minister : Certainly not in answer to a supplementary question. [Official Report, lAph April, 1913.] 49. Mr. Fell asked the Prime Minister if he will con- sider the proposal to submit the question of a Channel Tunnel between England and France to the Committee of Imperial Defence, so that the new conditions which har e arisen, and which are considered to have changed the situation, may be considered, and the opinion of the Committee obtained before the expenses of preparing new plans and schemes for the construction of the Tunnel are incurred ? The Prime Minister : The Committee of Imperial Defence is at present very fully occupied with important questions, and this matter is under consideration by the Departments concerned. Mr. Fell: Do I understand the light hon. Gentle- man to say that the matter is under consideration , by the Departments concerned ? The Prime Minister : Yes. jOfficial Report, 24/A April, 1913.]