HC Deb 18 July 1935 vol 304 c1211
34. Mr. DORAN

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will consider, where a canal system is of no further use in modern transport, the possibility of filling it in, and converting it into a road suitable for heavy goods traffic, leaving the ordinary roads available for passenger traffic only, seeing that filling-in material, such as slag, is within easy reach of many such canal systems, and that these operations would provide work for thousands of men over many years as well as making valuable land available for the use of the various communities through which the canals pass?

Mr. HORE-BELISHA

I have no power to require the owners of canals to abandon their undertakings, but if my hon. Friend has any particular proposal in mind I am ready to give it the most detailed attention.

Mr. DORAN

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for his interest in this matter, may I ask him whether he is aware that many of these canals are filled with refuse and are totally useless to the community and a real eyesore and should be abolished:

Mr. HORE-BELISHA

They are not always suitable for roads, and I regret to hear that they are suitable for refuse, but owing to their serpentine contours it would be difficult to adapt them in many cases.