HC Deb 03 April 1939 vol 345 cc2458-9
78. Mr. Ridley

asked the Minister of Transport how many miles of commercially-used canals have been reconditioned since 1920; what Government assistance has been given towards the cost; and to whom, and on what conditions, such assistance has been given?

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport (Captain Austin Hudson)

I have no information as to the mileage of commercially-used canals which have been reconditioned since 1920. Government assistance towards improvement schemes has been given to certain canal undertakings by grants from the Unemployment Grants Committee and under the provisions of the Trade Facilities Acts and the Development (Loan, Guarantees and Grants) Act, 1929. The undertakings to which assistance has thus been given have been the Trent Navigation Commissioners and the Nottingham Corporation, the Grand Union Canal Company, the Manchester Ship Canal Company, the York Corporation, the Lea Conservancy Board and the Exeter City Council. The total cost of the assisted schemes has amounted to about£3,750,000.

Mr. T. Williams

Can the hon. and gallant Gentleman tell the House how many miles of commercially-usable canals have been closed since 1920?

Captain Hudson

Not without notice.

Mr. Williams

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman get that information?

Captain Hudson

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman would put down a question on the subject.