§ Lord Kilmarnockasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the proposed closure of the Regent's Canal on 20 nights a year for purposes connected with the promotion of the London Zoo is consistent with the duty of the British Waterways Board to maintain public rights of navigation; and if not how those rights are to be protected.
§ Lord HeskethThere are no public rights of navigation on the British Waterways Board's artificial waterways; the board's maintenance duty is directed to securing their general availability for public use. The board is examining jointly with London Zoo Operations Ltd. income-earning opportunities from the night time enjoyment of the Regent's Canal and adjoining zoo land, which would help to finance improvements to the canal. There is little boat traffic at night and minor delays would be the only inconvenience to boaters.