§ 36. Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he intends to introduce targets for the increased use of waterways for freight transport. [68299]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonThe Government are committed to encouraging greater use of inland waterways, and will be re-examining the rules of the freight grant scheme with a view to increasing the number of applications for inland waterways projects. There has been a significant increase in the 1998–99 budget. However, as the scheme is demand-led it is not possible to set meaningful targets.