§ Mr. Hardyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what encouragement is being given to the British Waterways Board to develop further its freight-carrying capacity.
§ Mr. FoxThe board is aware that we are prepared to consider schemes likely to provide an adequate return on investment. In this connection we and the board will be interested in the results of improvements currently being made to the South Yorkshire Canal which will enable it to be used by larger vessels.
§ Mr. Hardyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what will be the effect of the reference to the British Waterways Board in the public expenditure White Paper in light of his answer on this matter on 25 July 1979.
§ Mr. FoxNo change is envisaged in the status of the British Waterways Board or its statutory functions. We now see
ESTIMATED DWELLING STOCK BY TENURE AND AGE MIDLANDS, SOUTH AND NORTH OF ENGLAND: 1978 Percentages Midlands South of England North of England Tenure Owner-occupied 56 57 54 Rented from local authority or new town 32 26 34 Year of construction Pre 1919 27 31 32 1919–1944 23 22 23 1945–1963 24 22 21 1964–1978 26 25 24