HL Deb 15 July 1965 vol 268 cc246-7

3.13 p.m.

VISCOUNT ST. DAVIDS

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

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will request the British Waterways Board to permit properly organised groups and societies to clean up dead waterways provided that no cost, liability or future commitment falls on the Board.]

LORD LINDGREN

No, my Lords. This is a matter for the Board. They assure me, however, that they value co-operation with voluntary bodies, and that they are always ready to consider specific suggestions for schemes of this kind on their merits.

VISCOUNT ST. DAVIDS

My Lords, would my noble friend urge the Board to move as fast as they can in this matter, because there is a danger that certain local groups, if they do not receive this permission, may even take matters into their own hands? Would the noble Lord consider what the position would be if this did happen? Would the British Waterways Board seriously consider clearing them off this property?

LORD LINDGREN

My Lords, I am sure that my noble friend and many other noble Lords will have seen the annual report of the Waterways Board for 1964, in which the Board welcome and appreciate the help of voluntary societies. Schemes, in conjunction with voluntary societies, are already in operation on the Kennet and Avon Canal, the Stourbridge Canal, the Chesterfield Canal and the Stratford-on-Avon Canal. This fact is, I think, fairly good evidence that in a considerable number of cases the Board are only too happy to co-operation fully and to take advantage of voluntary labour, where it is available.