THE HOUSE OF COMMONS.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 19916, 1 May 1930, Page 11

THE HOUSE OF COMMONS.

CHANNEL TUNNEL SCHEME REPORT STILL UNDER CONSIDERATION. CBWIJBB OfflOAt WJBBLKSS.) (Received April 30tb, 5.5 p.m.) RUGBY, April SB, When Parliament reassembled this morning after the Easter holidays Mr Ramsay Mac Donald (the Prime Minister) was asked in the House of Commons whether he had yet reached a decision regarding the construction ot the Channel Tunnel, or if he could ft* any date when he hoped to be able to announce, the decision of the Commit' tee of Imperial Defence on the. sub* jeet.

He replied that the report of the Special Committee which had examined the project was in the hands of two or three various authorities who must consider it- This matter could not be settled in a day as it was the biggest scheme of national policy before the Government at the present time, TELEPHONE SERVICE TO AUSTRALIA, REFERENCE TO CHARGES. (Received Aprjl 80th, 5.5 p.m.) RUGBY, April 89. Speaking in the House of Commons, the Postmaster-General (Mr B« B - said that the, charge for the new telephone serviee toi Australia would be £? per minute, w Hh n minimum of three minutes The charge WeuJd therefore be at Jeast $6, Asked whether the charge wouW &« reduced at an early date if the service proved successful, fir LeesJSmith said that he eould make no statement en that point at present.

HOUSING IN ENGLAND, CONSTRUCTION SINCE THE ARMISTICE, (Received April 30th, 5.5 p.m.) RUGBY, April 39In the course of a debate in the Hquse of Commons pn the Estimates for his Department, Mr A. Greenwood (Minister <or Health) said that up to March 3lst there had been completed since the Armistice under State-aided schemes 939,000 houses. There had been 520.000 houses built without (State assistance, SO that, the total number actually completed in England and Wales amounted to 1,450,000.

NEGOTIATIONS WITH RUSSIA. VARIOUS MATTERS UNDER DISCUSSION. RUGBY, April 89. jn the Hpus« of Commons, ques* ttened abeut the Anglo-Russian nego. ttfltions, tbfl Foreign gecretary, Mr Arthur Henderson, said that » *W» porary commercial agreement between the British and Soviet Governments was signed on April 16th. Negotiations were at present proceeding for the cqnelusipfl of a temporary agreement far the regulation 9? F e rtain fishery questions., Negotiations .www also probably be begun sbprtly for the neaelusioß of 4 definite treaty ©f em* inerce an 4 nftVigaiian *° ""eplaoe the tiempftrary agreement airepdy signej. The proposals of the British (loverß* m«nt for a fewaa! epnvention r§gar4« fng the appiieation ef treaties eon* eluded with the former Imperial Russian Government bid also been c©m? municated to the goTiet Government, Negotlatmns reg>riing debt qiajms and counter claims, betn mter* Governmental and private, wera alsn being pursued,