§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the result of the Government's efforts to encourage greater use of canals. [39980]
§ Mr. Robert B. JonesThe management and operation of canals rests with the British Waterways Board and a range of other public and private bodies. One of the board's objectives is to promote the maximum use of the waterways for leisure, recreation and amenity, and where appropriate for freight transport.
288WThere are over 150 million visits each year to the country's canals for boating, walking, angling and other pursuits. Last year, there were around 250,000 boating holidays on canals, a further increase of nearly 5 per cent. to 29,767 in the number of private pleasure boats licensed for canals, and BWB opened its second national waterway walk on the Kennet and Avon Canal.
There are also a number of Government programmes, including the single regeneration budget challenge fund, city challenge and urban development corporations, which encourage canal-side and related development. These programmes have contributed to the creation of jobs in the communities served by canals.