§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to require the clearance from inland waterways of rubbish which neither threatens flood capacity nor inhibits the passage of barges; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Heathcoat-Amory[holding answer 12 November 1990]: Section 89 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 will place a new duty on local authorities, designated statutory undertakers—the definition of designated statutory undertakers given in the Act includes
any person authorised by an enactment to carry on any canal, inland navigation, dock, harbour or pier undertakingand other bodies—to keep their land clear of litter and refuse. We expect the duty to apply to all urban waterway towpaths and embankments to which the public are entitled or permitted to have access. Land in this context does not include water. We consider that existing legislation contains adequate provision to deal with the problem of litter on and within bodies of water.