§ 7. Mr. Awberyasked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that holiday cruising on canals is becoming increasingly popular; and if he will give a general direction, inthe public interest, to the Inland Waterways Board to clear waterways which are now silting up and becoming unusable and unsightly and to put them in a fit condition for such traffic.
§ Mr. MarplesI do not think it necessary or appropriate to give such a direction. As I told the House on 31st July, the Board is examining all aspects of the future use of the inland waterways for which it is responsible.
§ Mr. AwberyIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that a large number of canals are being silted up and their gateways becoming beyond repair, while a large number of people are anxious to use them for commercial purposes, cruising or angling? Will he see whether something can be done before they become eyesores and rubbish tips?
§ Mr. MarplesThe assets of the waterways were vested in the present management only eleven months ago. It promised to report on this by about the end of the year. I have seen a draft of the report and an announcement will be made shortly. I must await the report, but in the meantimeit may give the hon. Member some pleasure to know that, under Section 64 of the Transport Act, waterways must be maintained in at least the condition they were in in November, 1961.
§ Mr. AwberyWill the right hon. Gentleman give special consideration to the case of the Kennet and Avon Canal which cuts across beautiful countryside and is admirable for cruising purposes?
§ Mr. MarplesThat is one of the canals dealt with in the report.