HC Deb 14 July 1969 vol 787 cc15-6
10. Mr. Berry

asked the Minister of Transport how many marinas are scheduled for construction by the British Waterways Board; what is the estimated cost of these; and which schemes at what cost have been approved by him.

Mr. Carmichael

The Board tells me it is in the early stages of planning the development of three major boating centres and that the furthest advanced of these projects may cost less than £60,000. No estimates have yet been settled for the others. The answer to the third part of the Question is "None, Sir".

Mr. Berry

Would the hon. Gentleman not agree that as these marinas are urgently needed and private investors are keen to build them, and as the cost to the British Waterways Board would involve a loan and interest thereon, would it not be better to concentrate the Board's money on the improvement of the waterways themselves, such as the Ashton and Lower Peak Forest Canals?

Mr. Carmichael

The waterways are supported by very generous Government subsidies and any consequential opportunities for profitable business should, in the public interest, be open to public as well as private enterprise.

Mr. Michael Heseltine

Would the hon. Gentleman agree that if it is possible to raise private capital to finance these projects, as there is such desperate pressure on all forms of public expenditure, it would be wise to let private capital be used for such purposes?

Mr. Carmichael

Of course it would. The British Waterways Board is considering a number of joint ventures with private capital. There is no question of shutting private capital out. It is just that where there is an opportunity for public money to be increased by investment in such things as these marinas, then advantage should be taken of such opportunity.