HC Deb 10 July 1972 vol 840 c248W
64. Sir G. de Freitas

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to encourage the use for all activities on inland waterways of silent electrically-powered boats in order to minimise pollution on these waterways.

Mr. Eldon Griffiths

Activities on inland waterways are the responsibility of river authorities and the British Waterways Board which controls them by means of byelaws. I am sure that these statutory bodies always strive to minimise pollution; but I am informed that the use of electric power for the propulsion of boats has not yet reached the stage of either technical or commercial reality.