HC Deb 20 January 1978 vol 942 cc377-8W
Mr. Faulds

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take steps to establish a national navigation authority for the better management commercially and recreationally of Great Britain's inland waterways as proposed by the Inland Waterways Association.

Mr. Denis Howell

As the White Paper on the Water Industry published in July 1977 said, the Government remain convinced of the desirability of bringing the management of the waterways into the water industry and of creating a national navigation authority. The precise scope and powers of such an authority have still to be worked out. In doing this the suggestions made by the Inland Waterways Association are very much welcomed.