Channel Link Report May Await Political Decision
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ATECHNICAL report from the British and French officials studying the proposals for a cross-Channel link
not necessarily be published before a,ny political decision is reached by the two governments.
In the Lords, Lord Derwent asked for an undertaking that the report would be published, so that Parliament would' he in a position to know the facts when any scheme was brought forward for its consideration. But Lord Chesham, Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport, replied that he could not give this positive undertaking. The question would, in due course, be a matter for consultat:on between the Minister and his French colleague and, said Lord Chesham, he could make no promise at present about the procedure that would be adopted.
Viscount Brentford emphasized the importance of the technical report---"there can virtually be only one "—and said its publication would be of infinite value.
He would convey this to the Minister. who, he had no doubt, would bear the. point in mind when he consulted with his French colleague, answered Lord Chesham.
He stressed that no decision had yet been made about whether there should be a tunnel, a bridge, or anything else. Work was well under way, but he could not say when the governments would be able to make a statement. There were complex problems which had to be worked out.