§ Mr. PageTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps she is taking to encourage the construction of berths along inland waterways and the coastline for recreational and leisure boating. [27125]
§ Alun MichaelI have been asked to reply.
We are looking at what action we may need to take for water-based sport and recreation more generally in the light of the research report—"Water-Based Sport and Recreation: the facts" prepared for DEFRA by the School of Environment, University of Brighton and published on 21 December—on facts about water-based sport and recreation on inland rivers, canals and enclosed waters that we published last month. In general it is for local providers to assess demand and supply in order to determine whether there is a need for a change in provision of berths and other facilities for recreational and leisure boating.