§ 47. Lord NINIAN CRICHTON-STUARTasked the Prime Minister whether he has received any resolution on the subject of a Royal Commission on Inland Waterways (1909); and whether the Government proposes to do anything in the matter?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, I would refer the Noble Lord to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade on this subject on the 19th instant.
§ Lord N. CRICHTON-STUARTCould the right hon. Gentleman give any idea when a definite answer one way or the other could be given?
§ The PRIME MINISTERIf the Noble Lord would look at the reply given by my right hon. Friend he will see the difficulties which surround the subject.
§ Colonel YATEDoes not the reply referred to mean that the whole question is to be shelved indefinitely? Are the Government really going to do anything in the matter or not?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe reply pointed out that to carry out the recommendations of the Committee would involve an expenditure of £20,000,000, probably more. The Government do not feel able at this moment to contemplate such an addition.
§ Colonel YATEWill the Government do anything to try to improve the present system?