HC Deb 28 February 1973 vol 851 c366W
Mr. Hardy

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the number of miles of navigable inland waterways which are in sufficiently good condition to allow continuing use by commercial vessels and the number of miles which could be brought up to this standard where commercial use now continues; and if he will make a statement on his policy with regard to the commercial use of inland waterways.

Mr. Eldon Griffiths

340 miles of the British Waterways Board's waterways are required to be maintained in suitable condition for commercial freight carrying. Apart from those controlled by port authorities, the use for this purpose of other inland waterways in Great Britain is insignificant. It is the Government's policy that full use should be made of inland waterways for freight carrying wherever this can be economically and socially justified.