§ 33. Sir E. Leatherasked the Minister of Transport what are the Bowes Committee's recommendations for the future of the Kennet and Avon Canal.
§ Mr. HayThe Bowes Committee, whose Report was published in July, 1958, considered that the Kennet and Avon Canal was a case for redevelopment. It found no justification for restoring it as a through navigation from Reading to Bath and could not recommend its inclusion in a "prescribed navigable system" of inland waterways.
§ Sir E. LeatherWhile thanking my hon. Friend for that Answer, which does not get us a lot further, may I ask him whether he would confirm that this matter has been looked at again by a committee under Admiral Parham, and will he confirm or deny that that committee has recommended a constructive solution?
§ Mr. HayI do not think that my hon. Friend ought to attack me for answering the Question which he put on the Paper, but it is perfectly true that the Inland Waterways Redevelopment Advisory Committee has already looked at this and has submitted recommendations to my right hon. Friend, and they are at present being studied.