HL Deb 02 May 1974 vol 351 cc196-7

3.19 p.m.

LORD DAVIES OF LEEK

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 what consideration and encouragement is being made to increase commercial traffic on the canals.

LORD GARNSWORTHY

My Lords, the British Waterways Board are always seeking greater use of their canals for freight carrying. Her Majesty's Government would welcome any scheme for canal development for freight carrying which can be shown to be economically and socially desirable.

LORD DAVIES OF LEEK

My Lords, while thanking my noble friend for that partly constructive Answer, may I ask him whether the Government will not only encourage the commercial use of canals but would now be prepared to conduct some research into it, because such commercial use is increasing in the Midlands? Finally, although it may not be relevant, would my noble friend draw the attention of Her Majesty's Government to a fascinating speech by a noble Baroness this week on fish farming? Some sections of the canals could be used commercially for fish farming and for increased fishing facilities.

LORD GARNSWORTHY

My Lords, I will see that the attention of my right honourable friend is drawn to the remarks of my noble friend.

VISCOUNT ST. DAVIDS

My Lords, I wonder whether my noble friend would consider one proposal which could possibly increase the use of canals for cargo carrying; that is, to arrange for a study on cargo carrying to be carried on centrally by a Government body? At the moment the only studies being carried out are those done by the British Waterways Board, which controls only a part of the waterway system and not necessarily that which is carrying the most cargo. A large number of—

SEVERAL NOBLE LORDS

Question!

VISCOUNT ST. DAVIDS

My Lords, I asked my noble friend whether he would consider the creation of a central body under Government auspices rather than leaving such research to the British Waterways Board.

LORD GARNSWORTHY

My Lords, the Department of the Environment is currently considering the report of the Inland Waterways Association entitled Barges or Juggernauts. It covers a very wide field and indeed all the points which have been raised by my noble friend. Comments will be made as soon as possible by the Department.

BARONESS STOCKS

My Lords, may I ask whether Her Majesty's Government are giving any assistance in the form of public money to those voluntary groups who are now engaged in clearing portions of canals?

LORD GARNSWORTHY

My Lords, I regret that I had not thought of obtaining detailed information on that point. If my noble friend will put down a Question, we shall be delighted to answer it.