HC Deb 04 May 1978 vol 949 cc241-2W
47. Mr. Parker

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has approved the proposals submitted to his Department by the British Waterways Board for spending the money allocated to it for urgent maintenance work to be carried out on the Board's undertakings.

Mr. Denis Howell

I shall be letting the Board have my views on the various aspects of their proposals very shortly.

Mr. Michael Marshal

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to publish the White Paper in reply to the recent report of the Select Committee on Nationalised Industries on the British Waterways Board.

Mr. Denis Howell

Shortly.

Mr. Temple-Morris

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what is the cumulative total of capital debt write-offs and reverse deficit write-offs for the British Waterways Board since nationalisation to March 1978;

(2) what is the cumulative total of subsidies, compensations and other payments for the period since nationalisation to March 1978 paid to the British Waterways Board.

Mr. Denis Howell

In the period from 1st January 1963, when the Board was constituted, the cumulative total of capital debt written off was £15.5 million. This resulted from the Transport Act 1968, which reduced the Board's commencing capital debt to £3.75 million.

Revenue deficits totalling £60.3 million have been met by grants over the same period. In addition, grants totalling £11.3 million have been paid since 1969–70 for the strengthening and reconstruction of bridges.