§ Mr. Spearingasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy to fund capital improvements or additions to commercial waterways traversed by public or privately owned cargo or passenger carrying craft in the same manner as capital for roads; and if he will give the reasons why these forms of common track are not financed in the same manner at present.
§ Mr. MulleyNo. The method of financing investment in different forms of transport must depend partly on the way in which users are charged. Road users cannot generally be charged directly; only via taxation. Canal users do not pay equivalent taxes, but they can and do contribute directly, in tolls, to the cost of the facilities they use. The Government contribute, in grants, some 70 per cent. of the costs of the British Waterways Board.