HC Deb 21 November 2000 vol 357 cc116-7W
Mr. Gareth R. Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what further action he is taking to improve access to water for non-powered craft.[1390031]

Mr. Mullin

Following discussion with interested organisations earlier this year, I announced last month that the Government would be undertaking research to establish the current state of access to water for sport and recreation in England and Wales.

The research is being jointly funded by my Department, Sport England, the Environment Agency, British Waterways, the Countryside Agency and the Countryside Council for Wales. An Inter-Departmental Group including the sponsors, the National Assembly for Wales, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport will oversee the research. Interested organisations will also be involved.

The Government will decide what further action, if any, is needed to improve access for non-powered watercraft in the light of the findings of the research, expected towards the end of next year.