§ Mr. Skinnerasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will increase his Department's grant to the British Waterways Board by an amount equivalent to the cost of work on the route to Rhodesia section of the Chesterfield canal; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MacfarlaneNo. The British Waterways Board uses grant-aid from my Department to meet statutorily defined standards for maintenance of their network. This section of the canal is classified as a remainder waterway, and is therefore maintained to minimum standards.
Additional funding for maintenance to higher standards must come from other sources.