HC Deb 04 November 2002 vol 392 cc17-8W
Mr. Gareth Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what further progress she has made on increasing access to water for non-powered craft; and if she will make a statement. [79076]

Alun Michael

Our research report, Water-Based Sport and Recreation: the facts was published in December 2001. This is a wide-ranging report which touches on the responsibilities of several Government Departments and agencies and we have been working with them in deciding how best to take this forward.

While none of the issues are new or straightforward to resolve, I am committed to finding solutions wherever possible.

As a first step I have asked the Countryside Agency (in partnership with other agencies) to pilot some demonstration projects to develop best practice for access agreements on key stretches of water.