§ 70. Mr. Awberyasked the Minister of Transport what action is contemplated to improve the inland water transport of the country for the conveyance of heavy traffic, and for the dredging and modernising of our large rivers to make them navigable to a greater extent for passenger and cargo vessels, to assist land drainage and prevent flooding in the future.
§ Mr. BarnesUnder the Transport Bill the principal canal and inland navigation undertakings will vest in the British Transport Commission on 1st January next, and the question of their improvement must now be left for consideration by the Commission. Outside the scope of these undertakings, navigational 253W matters are the responsibility of harbour and conservancy authorities. Questions as to land drainage and the prevention of flooding by rivers should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture and the Secretary of State for Scotland.