§ Mr. Peter Robertsasked the Minister of Transport whether he has any information as to when the Kennet and Avon canal will be open for commercial traffic.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydI am informed by the British Transport Commission that there is no likelihood of commercial traffic passing through the entire length of this navigation, though traffic can navigate on the western section from Bristol to Bath. On the eastern section between Reading and Newbury the position remains as given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary on 26th January, 1953, in answer to a Question by the hon. Member for Reading, South (Mr. Mikardo). I am told that the work in hand is progressing according to plan.