HC Deb 10 November 1982 vol 31 cc534-5
6. Mr. Ashton

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has received the latest report of the British Waterways Board; and if he will make a statement.

The Under-Secretary of State for the Environment (Mr. Giles Shaw)

The board's annual report and statement of accounts for 1981 were laid before this House on 23 June.

Mr. Ashton

Is it not a fact that the Government had to send in their own auditors, because the financial affairs of the board were in a mess, and that the board is now bringing in its own auditors again to check on the Government auditors?

Mr. Shaw

The general review by the Inbucon consultants into the affairs of the board includes an examination of the efficiency of management and the structure of the board. Publication of the report is expected shortly.

Mr. John Wells

Is my hon. Friend aware of the importance of keeping the maximum mileage of waterways open at all times in this era of increased leisure? It is essential, particularly in the Midlands areas, which are remote from the sea, that people should have waterways available for fishing and other recreation.

Mr. Shaw

I agree with my hon. Friend. It is indeed important that we should optimise the benefits that waterways can offer, but I remind the House that it is also necessary to increase the income.

Mr. Denis Howell

Is it not astonishing that the affairs of the board have got into such a serious state, administratively and in respect of the lack of repairs to waterways, that outside auditors have had to be brought in? Is it not even more astonishing that bureaucratic arguments are taking place between the Government's auditors and the board's auditors? Will the Minister accept the Government auditors' accounts, as we would do, and agree that that means that urgent action must be taken to open up the whole canal system and repair it properly, for the benefit of the nation and to ensure that it is run efficiently in the public interest?

Mr. Shaw

I agree with the necessity of ensuring that the affairs of the board are run with maximum efficiency. I remind the right hon. Gentleman that the Government have increased substantially the grant-aid available to the board to make good some of the backlog of work.

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