Major THOMASasked the Minister of Transport what steps are being taken to increase the facilities for coastal and inland water transport?
§ Mr. PYBUSIn the last few years material assistance has been given to developing the facilities for coastal and inland water transport by grants towards harbour improvements and the improvement of certain navigation. Dock and canal undertakings were also included in the scope of the derating scheme on the basis that the benefit of rate relief was transmitted to the users of those undertakings. From these various steps coastwise shipping will have benefited like other shipping. I can only add that in 997W the formulation of any proposals for the better co-ordination of transport the interests of coastal and inland water transport will be duly considered.