HC Deb 14 June 1978 vol 951 cc980-2
3. Mr. Hardy

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will now announce his decision in regard to the proposed improvement of the Sheffield and South Yorkshire Navigation.

18. Mr. Edwin Wainwright

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment, in the light of the fact that Yorkshire County Council has decided to contribute £1 million for the improvement scheme for the Sheffield and South Yorkshire Waterways, if he will now give a firm decision in full support of this navigation scheme.

Mr. Shore

I hope to announce my decision shortly.

Mr. Hardy

Does my right hon. Friend accept that the delay in this matter has already been outrageous; that seasons rather than weeks have now elapsed since he met the united interests of South Yorkshire; and that the environmental and economic needs of our area are such that a favourable decision is needed without further delay?

Mr. Shore

I understand my hon. Friend's desire and, indeed, impatience to have as quick a decision as possible, but I wish to point out that I met the deputation from South Yorkshire County Council on 2nd February. Arising out of that meeting there were a number of further questions on which we needed to be clear. We have been in touch with the authority since and I hope soon to be able to make my decision.

Mr. Wainwright

Does my right hon. Friend realise that it is about three years since the Minister with responsibilities for sport came to Rotherham and gave this scheme his wholehearted support? Is he aware that we thought the influence of his right hon. Friend on the Secretary of State was greater than it is? Is he further aware that this scheme has been discussed for a long time and that Yorkshire seems to have been very much neglected—not just by my right hon. Friend's Department but by other Departments? Is this taking place because we in Yorkshire are so wholeheartedly in support of the Government that we are being ignored? If so, let me warn my right hon. Friend that we are reaching the end of our tether and that if he does not do something in our favour we shall have to fight on?

Mr. Shore

I am aware that my hon. Friend has taken a great interest in this matter, as have many people in South Yorkshire. I am also aware that this matter has been discussed for a very long time and that proposals for such a canal have been put to my predecessors and turned down. I am telling the House that I am taking a further look at the matter. We are trying to obtain the additional necessary information about the scheme, and I still hope to make a decision shortly.

Mr. Durant

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this scheme has implications even beyond South Yorkshire? If it proves to be a success, the scheme will have implications for other areas where such schemes might be forthcoming to implement the greater use of the inland waterways.

Mr. Shore

That is a point very much in my mind. As a country we have not thought through sufficiently the possible future use of our national waterways.

Mr. Woodall

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the improvement of the canal is necessary as one of the steps towards the economic revival of the southern part of Yorkshire? Is he aware that some parts of the area have the highest rates of unemployment in the country and that improvement of the canal would greatly help its economic prospects?

Mr. Shore

I am well aware of the problems of the area, which I visited only a few months ago. I accept that a successful extension of the canal system would give a welcome economic boost and a psychological stimulus to the area.

Mr. Woodall

Then let us have it.