§ Mr. Chorltonasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether, with so many miles of canals in this country practically without traffic, he will consider remedying this and so provide relief for the present overburdened railways?
§ Mr. Noel-BakerAs I said yesterday in answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Moseley (Sir P. Hannon), the question of making the fullest possible use of canals, for the relief of the railways has constantly engaged, and will continue to engage, my attention. The efforts made by my Minister in co-operation with the canal undertakings and canal carriers, to promote the use of canals, have produced substantial results in spite of the difficulties caused by the shortage of the labour required. My hon. Friend will, however, realise that a considerable mileage of waterways has been allowed to fall into disuse and disrepair, and could only be made available for traffic by an expenditure of labour and equipment which could not at present be justified.