§ 2.59 p.m.
VISCOUNT ST. DAVIDSMy 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 intend to introduce legislation to keep their pre-Election promise to restore the right of navigation on the nationalised inland waterways; and whether in the meantime they would ask British Waterways, when faced with complaints of neglect of upkeep, not to answer that, as the law now stands, they have no duty to keep waterways navigable.]
§ LORD MOWBRAY AND STOURTONMy Lords, Her Majesty's Government are studying the problems confronting users of inland waterways arising from changes introduced by the 1968 Transport Act to establish what hardships were created and if legislation should be introduced to combat them.
VISCOUNT ST. DAVIDSMy Lords, does that mean that British Waterways are entitled to cease the upkeep of waterways on the grounds that there is now no duty on them? Does it mean that the Party now in Government do not intend to keep the promise they made at the time when the Amendment to the Transport Act was put through the House? Do they not mean to keep subsequent promises to restore the right of navigation? Does the noble Lord's Answer mean that they are having second thoughts?
§ LORD MOWBRAY AND STOURTONMy Lords, it does not mean any of the things which the noble Viscount has suggested. The noble Viscount is a great expert on this subject and he will be aware that under the 1968 Act the waterways are divided into three categories—commercial, cruising and remainder waterways. It is only the remainder waterways that the Board are not under an obligation to keep navigable. As the noble Viscount will be aware, it is possible for these waterways to be upgraded, downgraded or even closed. As regards the commercial and cruising waterways, the Board are under an obligation and are carrying it out. As to the latter half of the noble Viscount's Question, the Government are looking into this subject, as I said earlier and as was said in another place in July. But the noble Viscount will appreciate that it is not a matter of high priority on the Government's list.
VISCOUNT ST. DAVIDSMy Lords, will the noble Lord accept any information that I give him to the effect that it is impossible to navigate on a number of waterways, not just remainder waterways but some in the other categories which it is intended to keep open for navigation, and that the answer from the Waterways Board is that there is no duty to keep them navigable? If it is the Government's intention to restore a right of navigation, will the noble Lord and his friends smile on a Private Bill which would produce that result?
§ LORD MOWBRAY AND STOURTONMy Lords, the British Waterways Board are not aware that they have answered any letter in such a fashion as the noble Viscount suggests. I should be grateful if he would let me know any instance which has taken place and let me look into it.