§ 110. Mr. L. M. Leverasked the Minister of Transport what his policy is in relation to derelict canals; and what steps he proposes to take to prevent them being a source of danger to the life and health of the community.
§ Mr. BarnesI have powers under the Railway and Canal Traffic Act of 1888 on the application of local authorities and others to authorise the abandonment of derelict canals and their transfer to local authorities or other persons. I also have powers under the Manchester Corporation Act, 1950, to authorise the abandonment of certain derelict canal arms within the city. I have, however, under examination certain proposals on the subject of the future of derelict canals which have been made by appropriate committees of the Association of Municipal Corporations, but I am not yet in a position to make any statement about them.