§ Mr. Spearingasked the Secretary of State for Transport if the final version of his guidelines for application under section 36 of the Transport Act 1981 for facilities for water transport have been distributed; what grants have been made; and if he is satisfied with procedures related to such applications.
§ Mr. EyreThe new memorandum on the rail and inland waterways freight facilities grant scheme has been published and copies sent to those known by the Department to be interested in it. I am arranging for copies to be placed in the Library of the House.
No grants have yet been made. Only one application for grant has so far been received, but this was later withdrawn. The procedures relating to applications for grant under section 36 of the Transport Act 1981 are similar to those under section 8 of the Railways Act 1974, where grant approvals continue to be made, benefiting the environment by preventing heavy lorry traffic on 233W unsuitable roads. I hope that worthwhile proposals will be made which will lead to grants for inland waterways freight facilities.