§ Ms Rosie WintertonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the external financing limit for the British Waterways Board. [156854]
Mr. Robert AinsworthThe 2000–01 External Financing Limit for the British Waterways Board will be increased by £3,680,000 from £61,240,000 to £64,920,000. £3,130,000 has been made available to help the Board meet increased costs associated with recent flooding. £550,000 will enable them to carry out additional major repairs to the canal network. These costs will be funded by an increase in grant-in-aid to the Board arising from savings on Class III, Vote 3 and from transfers from the non-voted element of DETR's main DEL.