HC Deb 03 February 1997 vol 289 cc659-60
4. Mr. Luff

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many canal restoration projects have received funding from a national lottery funding body; and if she will make a statement. [12219]

The Secretary of State for National Heritage (Mrs. Virginia Bottomley)

Canals and other inland waterways have been at the heart of many successful lottery bids throughout the country. They act as a focus for regeneration in their surrounding areas. So far, four major canal restoration projects have received lottery funding of nearly £52 million.

Mr. Luff

Does my right hon. Friend agree that that answer puts a different gloss on the Inland Waterways Association's rather negative campaign on canal funding? Her statement will bring great hope to Worcestershire, where the rejection by the Millennium Commission of the bid to refurbish the Droitwich barge and junction canals was so disappointing? Does she agree that such projects bring enormous benefits to a huge area—not just the immediate area around the canal—including to the excellent company, Viking Afloat, which is run by my constituent, Mr. Robert Bell, in Worcester?

Mrs. Bottomley

I am well aware of the economic effects of investing in our canals, and the huge opportunities for canal projects that are provided by lottery funding. I met someone at the boat show from the project to which my hon. Friend referred. Those involved in inland waterways were enormously excited by the potential for the holiday and leisure industry of this substantial investment.

Mr. Miller

If the Secretary of State recognises the importance of canals to our tourism infrastructure, why is she passing the responsibility on to the lottery rather than directly supporting projects, such as the Ellesmere Port boat museum, which is so important to tourism in my constituency?

Mrs. Bottomley

The hon. Gentleman knows that I visited that museum and was very impressed by it.

Mr. Miller

The right hon. Lady told me.

Mrs. Bottomley

I told the hon. Gentleman, because it would have been contrary to usual practice to visit without having given him prior warning. He shows that the Labour party would ensure that all lottery money went to its friends in local government and elsewhere, and would dictate policy. It wants to dictate the distribution of lottery funds. Lottery funds are distributed by independent bodies, and judgments on particular projects are a matter for them. I hope that a great deal more money will go to museums, as set out in our excellent policy document "Treasures in Trust".