Sheffield and South Yorkshire Navigation

HC Deb 12 July 1978 vol 953 cc1491-3

11. Mr. Hardy

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will now approve the proposed scheme of improve- ment of Sheffield and South Yorkshire Navigation.

Mr. Shore

As I stated in reply to a Question by my hon. Friend on 14th June, I hope to announce my decision on this scheme shortly.

Mr. Hardy

Does my right hon. Friend accept that yet another month has passed and that this delay is now becoming a disgraceful example of insensitive hesitation? Since the environmental prospects and economic future of South Yorkshire are being treated in a quite unacceptable manner, does he understand that the patience of South Yorkshire and its hon. Members is not inexhaustible?

Mr. Shore

I do not accept from my hon. Friend that it is either disgraceful or insensitive. On the contrary, I consider it to be careful and responsible. We are hoping to come to a decision very shortly.

Mr. Durant

Does the Secretary of State accept that this is a very imaginative scheme? Surely by this time the Government should have a positive policy on this matter, which is important to the whole future of inland waterways in this country.

Mr. Shore

I am very much aware that it is a very long time indeed since there was an investment in Britain's canal system. Therefore, it is important—I attach great importance to this—that we should back a scheme which really has a reasonable chance of success.

Mr. McNamara

Will my right hon. Friend, with his usual sensitivity, examine very carefully the effects of such a development upon the ports of the Humber and, in particular, the port of Hull, and what it might mean in terms of loss of jobs and the consequent loss of use of important public investment over the years? Will he bear in mind very carefully the effects upon the development area?

Mr. Shore

In thinking through the case for such a canal scheme, we shall have to consider all the relevant factors, including the generation of new traffic and the possibility, of course, of a switch of traffic from other facilities. But all these matters—I am grateful to my hon. Friend for raising one of the many complexities—must really be thoroughly worked out.

Several Hon. Members

rose—

Mr. Speaker

I shall call one more hon. Member on this Question.

Mr. Stan Crowther

Is my right hon. Friend aware of the enormous amount of support among members of the general public for this scheme in South Yorkshire? Does he accept that we understand the difficulties that have been created by the very sharp attack made upon our right hon. Friend the Minister of State by the Select Committee? Is it not now time to let bygones be bygones and get on with the scheme, which is manifestly in the interests of the economy of South Yorkshire?

Mr. Shore

I am very much aware of the support that exists for the project in the South Yorkshire area and, indeed, more generally on the part of those who are interested in the development and better use of inland waterways. However, my hon. Friend must not assume in any way that we are bringing to bear anything other than an honest consideration of all the facts. We want to establish the best possible judgment on this project.