§ 28. Mr. G. Longdenasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation how many miles of canal have been, or are to be, closed by the British Transport Commission; and what steps he has taken to satisfy himself that such closure is in the national interest
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport (Mr. Hugh Molson)Authority has been given by Private Act or by Orders made by the Minister under the Railway and Canal Traffic Act, 1888,for the closing to navigation or abandonment of some 48 miles of canal under the control of the British Transport Commission, and proposals are made, in a Bill recently deposited by the Commission, for the closure of a further 19 miles of canal.
Where authority to close a canal is sought by way of a Private Bill the question of the national interest is for Parliament to decide. Where an application is made to the Minister for an Order, he is required to be satisfied that the canal is unnecessary for the purposes of public navigation. Every application is advertised and interested parties have an opportunity of objecting. I can assure my hon. Friend that each objection is very carefully considered before any Order is made.
§ Mr. LongdenWould my hon. Friend not agree that these are national, capital assets of very great value other than mere financial value, and will he ensure that this House is informed as and when it is decided to write them off and be given the reasons?
§ Mr. MolsonThat is quite true, and that consideration is always present in the mind of my right hon. Friend before he issues an order.