HL Deb 20 July 1964 vol 260 cc445-6

2.53 p.m.

VISCOUNT ST. DAVIDS

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they intend to approve the leasing of other damaged waterways to trusts, on the lines of the very successful operation on the Stratford Canal, or whether they have an alternative plan for their repair.]

THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT(LORD CHESHAM)

My Lords, this is now primarily for the British Waterways Board to consider, and I think we should await the outcome of the comprehensive survey of their waterways and the consultations on which they are engaged. They have already held discussions with several canal trusts and associations about the possibilities of restoration. The leasing of waterways may not necessarily be the best way of ensuring co-operation between the Board and such bodies.

VISCOUNT ST. DAVIDS

My Lords, can the noble Lord say how long we are to wait before this final report is issued, and whether there is any chance of any action being taken before then? It has been understood that this final report may well take some years to produce.

LORD CHESHAM

My Lords, in view of the fact that the interim report was published only in December last, I should be misleading the House if I said that I expected it soon. The Board have a tremendous amount of work to do which, as the noble Viscount has agreed with me in the past, they are tackling with considerable enthusiasm. They will certainly require time to do that. But, as the noble Viscount also knows, there is no bar of principle erected against any such arrangements if they prove to be suitable.

LORD BARNBY

My Lords, as the report on the canals under discussion appears to indicate that a lot of public work has been done privately without cost to the public authority, will the Government announce that they take a favourable view of this kind of activity by public bodies?

LORD CHESHAM

That, of course, has already been announced, but I cannot here say a flat "Yes" in principle to a number of schemes which are not yet put forward. Each one will have to be considered on its merits first by the Board, and then, if necessary, by the Government. I would point out to my noble friend that the interest of the Government in the scheme on which the noble Viscount based his Question, was rather more than a benevolent one and included £20,000.