Mr. DOYLEasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether he is able to state the names and the number of canals in England which are owned by railway companies; and whether he is in a position to state if the financial assistance given by certain railway companies to certain canals has saved the latter from becoming derelict?
§ Mr. NEALMy hon. Friend will find full information on the points he raises in Volume IV of the Reports and Returns issued by the Royal Commission on Canals, 1906 to 1909. The number of canals in England and Wales owned or controlled by railway companies is about 45. I think it is the case that the money required for the upkeep of some of these canals would not have been forthcoming if the canals had been in independent ownership.