§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will consider making finance available to prevent deterioration of towpaths and the blocking of canals by inadequate dredging; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Eldon GriffithsThe British Waterways Board, whose duty it is to maintain its commercial and cruising waterways for navigation, is already substantially grant-aided by the Government. The board has no duty to maintain towpaths. Responsibility for these lies with the local highway authorities where there are public rights of way. The board is anxious to collaborate with local authorities in making towpaths more widely accessible as local amenities, and much progress has been made.
§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish a White Paper setting out the Government's policy regarding the future of canals; and if he will make a statement on the employment prospects of people who obtain their livelihood directly or indirectly from canals.
§ Mr. RipponThe Water Bill will not cover the British Waterways Board. I have no doubt that the integration of the waterways with those of the new regional water authorities could have advantages, but such a change is not immediately necessary. The board and the Inland Waterways Amenity Advisory Council will accordingly remain in being with their present responsibilities.
I will expect the board and the regional water authorities in discharging their functions to work closely together. When we have experience of this co-operation it will be possible to consider whether further changes in the relationship between the British Waterways Board and the regional water authorities are desirable.