§ Mr. ColvinTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are the objectives of the River Thames working group; and when the group will report to him.
§ Mr. NorrisThe River Thames working group, which I chair, is reviewing current transport uses of the River Thames and possible constraints on those uses. It will 441W establish the potential for the development of the river for transport, particularly freight, alongside other river interests, and identify and encourage private sector-led initiatives. My Department has recently engaged Wootton Jeffreys Consultants Ltd. to assist it in analysing the information that the group has received following a wide-ranging consultation exercise which I launched last year. The working group is aiming to complete its report in July.