HC Deb 08 February 1979 vol 962 cc290-1W
Mr. Wigley

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how much money has been (a) allocated and (b) committed by the Government for repair work to the canal system through the British Waterways Board in the current financial year; and what is the allocation for 1979–80.

Mr. Denis Howell

For the current financial year an additional amount of £5 million was provided to enable the Board to make faster progress on urgent arrears of maintenance, bringing the total grant available for the year to £18.1 million. A similar additional amount for the same purpose has been promised for 1979–80, and for each of the three following years.