§ Mr. Spearingasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is satisfied with the forms and content of official statistics concerning waterways; and if he intends to review current practice.
§ Mr. Denis HowellI am satisfied that the present form and content of waterways statistics collected by my Department and the Department of Transport are adequate for the purposes for which they are required. The possibility of extending the scope of official waterways statistics was considered in 1975 after extensive discusion with the Inland Waterways Association; but it was decided that the cost involved could not be justified by the likely benefits, and this remains valid.