§ Mr. Durantasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he intends to provide the new chairman of the British Waterways Board and his board with objectives for the future.
§ Mr. GowAfter discussions with the new chairman, Sir Leslie Young, and his predecessor, Sir Frank Price, together with their colleagues on the board and following consultation with the Inland Waterways Amenity Advisory Council, new objectives have now been agreed. I have placed copies in the Library today.
Our objectives for the board cover its full range of functions and responsibilities. They provide the board with a clear basis for promoting the fullest practicable use of the waterways in order to achieve value for money, with minimum costs to the Exchequer, through a strictly commercial approach to freight, leisure and estates activities and with increased opportunities for private sector participation. The board will now prepare a corporate plan to implement these objectives.