§ 39. Mr. BRIANTasked the Minister of Transport the total mileage of canals in England and the number of miles actually open to traffic?
§ Colonel ASHLEYThe total length of canal and inland waterways in England and Wales, as shown in the Report of the Royal Commission of 1906, is 4,080 miles, of which 19 miles were closed at that date. Recent figures of the total mileage of canals in England and the number of miles actually open for traffic are not available, but the abandonment of 50 miles has been authorised since my Department was formed in 1919.