§ Mr. James Lamondasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the statement, in his response to the Select Committee on Nationalised Industries Report on the British Waterways Board, that he regards the Fraenkel Report as a key document, means that he accepts its basic analysis; and, if so, what provision he intends to make to meet the arrears of maintenance which it discloses.
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§ Mr. Denis HowellOf course the Government accept the basic analysis of the problem which the Fraenkel Report contains. This was made clear in the Response to the Select Committee—Cmnd. 7248—which said that the Government regard the Fraenkel Report as a key document. We have already provided £11 million over two years to meet the most urgent repair works identified by Fraenkel and we are currently considering what financial provision may be required for the following three years. It is not possible for any Government to make a more open-ended financial commitment.
§ Mr. Albert Robertsasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received from the chairman of the British Waterways Board about the reply of his Department to the Report of the Select Committee on Nationalised Industries and the Fraenkel Report.
§ Mr. Denis HowellI have not received any representations from the Chairman of the British Waterways Board about this subject. The Government's Response is a declaration of faith in the future of the canal system and shows our determination to maintain it as a national asset. While the Response confirms our intention to encourage the greatest possible use of the canal system for the carrying of freight, it also accepts that realistically the prime function of the waterways in the future will be to provide facilities for amenity and recreation.