HC Deb 16 March 1972 vol 833 c158W
Sir R. Russell

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give further details of the way in which the Government's proposals for inland waterways will make more money available for them.

Mr. Eldon Griffiths

The detailed arrangements are being worked out in the course of consultations on the proposals.

Mr. Thorpe

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make a statement on his consideration of the future commercial development of inland waterways in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Peter Walker

As my hon. Friend made clear in the debate on the Adjournment on 3rd March, 1972, it is my intention that nothing should prevent commercial development of the waterways wherever it can be shown to be economically and socially justified. I shall be meeting representatives of the National Association of Inland Waterway Carriers to consider how this may best be achieved in the context of the Government's proposals for water reorganisation.