§ MR. BOTTOMLEY (Hackney, S.)I beg to ask the Prime Minister whether it is the intention of the Government to redeem the pledge given by the late 1627 Prime Minister with reference to dealing with the canals of the country; and, if so, whether, having regard to the amount of unemployment now prevailing, he will expedite matters in that direction.
§ MR. ASQUITHAs a first step towards carrying out the announcement made by the late Prime Minister a Royal Commission was appointed to inquire into the whole question of inland waterways. The Commission is still at work, and I am informed by the chairman that their recommendations will not be available at any rate before the middle of next year.