§ Mr. Eyreasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will specify what works have been carried out in respect of the £5 million allocated to canals in 1977 for urgent maintenance purposes.
§ Mr. Denis HowellThe additional grant of £5 million announced in November 1977 was allocated for spending by the British Waterways Board in the financial year 1978–79. Industrial action has put back the programme of work envisaged for this year, but it has been possible to employ most the additional funds to purchase essential materials in advance and to carry out a variety of other works necessary for public safety.