HC Deb 24 October 1949 vol 468 c987
16. Sir P. Hannon

asked the Minister of Transport the total freight charges for the conveyance of traffic on the inland waterways for the years 1947, 1948, and the first six months of 1949; and if he will indicate the measures which have been adopted for the increase of canal traffic for relief of road and rail transport.

Mr. Barnes

Since the decontrol of canals and canal carriers at the end of 1947, my Department has not received information about the revenue from the conveyance of traffic on inland waterways, except in relation to craft owned by the British Transport Commission. Such information is published in the Commission's "Transport Statistics" and in the Commission's Report for 1948. I have asked the Commission to communicate with the hon. Member on this subject of traffic receipts and the measures taken to increase canal traffic.

Sir P. Hannon

Is the Minister taking every precaution possible to encourage transport on the canals in order to relieve the transport on the railways and other means of communication?

Mr. Barnes

Under the Transport Act the Docks and Inland Waterways Executive were charged with this responsibility, and I have no doubt that they are giving very serious attention to the problem. As a matter of fact, I think traffic on the canals has shown an increase.