HL Deb 26 June 1978 vol 394 cc5-7

2.50 p.m.

Viscount HANWORTH

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 why they have not yet authorised the proposed programme of essential maintenance work submitted by the British Waterways Board four months ago, in spite of the fact that they have agreed in principle that the work should start and have allocated funds for the purpose.

Lord STRABOLGI

My Lords, although the programme of work drawn up by the Board poses no problems as such, this significant increase in the Board's normal maintenance programme involves substantial increases in staff numbers and salary levels which raise difficult associated issues. Because of their implications for pay policy and future levels of financing it has not yet been possible to give the Board clearance in respect of these matters.

Viscount HANWORTH

My Lords, I thank the noble Lord for that reply. However, I should like to ask first, when is it expected that this difficulty will be resolved, and secondly, does he fully appreciate what a sorry tale this has been? Five years ago the backlog of maintenance was estimated at £40 million but all the Government did was to ask for an independent consultant who confirmed that estimate. At last we have the £5 million but even that, in view of this urgent maintenance, is, for one reason or another, being delayed. Cannot the Government grasp the problem and realise that it is of immense importance to the recreation of a great many people—people who are not the upper classes?

Lord STRABOLGI

My Lords, the Government are fully aware of the importance of getting the Board's programme under way with the least possible delay and will do their best to resolve the matter as quickly as possible. As I have said, matters are by no means straightforward. Effective implementation of the first £5 million that we have given for this year depends on the resolution of the staffing and pay problems. I remind the noble Viscount that the Government have already given £12 million a year, which is 50 per cent. of the Board's income; we are now proposing an extra £5 million as recommended by Fraenkel; and there will be another £5 million next year.

Viscount HANWORTH

My Lords, I should like to press the noble Lord further. The £12 million has nothing whatever to do with the arrears of maintenance; it is for the running costs.

Lord STRABOLGI

My Lords, with regard to the long-term question, I should remind the noble Viscount that the recent Commons Select Committee on Nationalised Industries, in its fourth report on the British Waterways Board, made specific recommendations. The Government will be stating their position on that report in the near future. I think that it would not be appropriate for me to comment on it in advance.

Lord GEORGE-BROWN

My Lords, does the noble Lord think that his Answer is really fair? I agree with the point that has just been made, but the real point is that the chairman of the British Waterways Board, a colleague and friend of all of us, has been fighting a battle against successive Ministers for a long time to get this programme authorised. If the implementation of it now presents a problem, that is only because it has taken this long to persuade the Ministers to stop obstructing its implementation. Therefore, is it really fair to defend the present Government proposal for inaction on the grounds that they have themselves brought about what is now a very difficult problem?

Lord STRABOLGI

My Lords, the Board provided a detailed programme to support the first grant allocation of £5 million, but that would create many new posts, regrade a quarter of the existing staff and move the entire top management on to substantially higher salaries. That of course raises very important questions of pay policy which must be resolved before we can go ahead.

Lord ORR-EWING

My Lords, will the noble Lord remember that the civil construction and building industry is desperately short of work and that there is massive unemployment in that area? Therefore, would it not be helpful to get on with the letting and the planning of these contracts for the maintenance of these important waterways so that jobs can be secured and extra jobs provided?

Lord STRABOLGI

My Lords, I am sure that that is a very interesting suggestion which I shall put to my right honourable friend.

Lord MOWBRAY and STOURTON

My Lords, is the noble Lord aware that all the Government have to do is to subcontract to local authorities? That would enable my noble friend's suggestion to be carried out?

Lord STRABOLGI

My Lords, I am sure that that is another very interesting suggestion, which I shall put forward as well.