§ Mr. William Wilsonasked the Minister of Transport (1) how many miles of canals are controlled by the British Waterways Board;
(2) over how many miles of canals controlled by the British Waterways Board the fishing rights have been leased to anglers or angling societies;
(3) what is the total amount of rent paid by anglers and angling societies for fishing rights on canals controlled by the British Waterways Board;
(4) what area of water is controlled by the British Waterways Board in reservoirs under its jurisdiction;
(5) over what area of the waters in reservoirs under the jurisdiction of the British Waterways Board the fishing rights are leased to anglers or angling societies;
(6) what is the total amount of rent paid by anglers and angling societies for fishing rights on reservoirs under the jurisdiction of the British Waterways Board.
§ Mr. Tom FraserThe British Waterways Board controls approximately 2,000 miles of canal and river navigation, and 4,265 acres of reservoir at full capacity. The Board leases the fishing rights on 1,034 miles of canal and river navigation, at a total annual rental of £13,964, and on 1,594 acres of reservoir at full capacity, at a total annual rental of £5,397, to anglers or angling societies. The Board do not own the angling rights on most of the remaining waters.
§ Mr. William Wilsonasked the Minister of Transport if he will issue a general direction, in the public interest, to the British Waterways Board, to provide more facilities for angling in the canals and reservoirs under their control.
§ Mr. Tom FraserNo.