CHAPTER VI.
FREE TRADE AND THE CHANNEL TUNNEL.
Of the four Free Trade advocates mentioned in the preceding pages, two, General Thompson and Mr. Villiers, were, as far as I know, opposed to the Channel Tunnel; two, Mr. Cobden and Mr. Bright, would seem from the following statement to have been in favour of it.
On the 17th of August, 1883, a general meeting of the Submarine Continental Railway Company was held at the Cannon Street Hotel, to receive a report from the directors, and for special business. Sir E. W. Watkin, the Chairman of the Company, presided. The Chairman said:—
"The Select Committee of both Houses of Parliament to whom Her Majesty's Government referred the question of the Channel Tunnel, have by a majority expressed their opinion against proceeding for the present with legislation."
