1. Mr. J. Enoch Powellasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he has any plans for taking the Newry canal into public ownership.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Mr. Giles Shaw)The Newry canal is owned by the Newry Port and Harbour Trust. Since 1971, the affairs of the trust have, however, been in the hands of a liquidator appointed by the Department of Commerce for Northern Ireland.
Mr. PowellDoes the Minister recognise that like other ancient monuments of public importance this unique monument of engineering, which is older by 30 years than any other canal in the British Isles and is of interest on the European scale, can be properly preserved and used for leisure, employment and tourism only if it is in public ownership?
§ Mr. ShawI note the right hon. Gentleman's strong advocacy of public ownership in this undoubtedly unique instance. The right hon. Gentleman will recognise that the trust was appointed by a public authority, that it is now in the hands of a liquidator appointed by a public authority and that, therefore, it is close to being in public ownership. I understand the right hon. Gentleman's strong feelings about the development of the canal. The recent report by Enterprise Ulster is still being considered.