HC Deb 19 March 2001 vol 365 cc64-5W
Mr.Luff

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture. Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the impact of the closure of British Waterways' canal network on the long-term viability of canal-based tourism operators. [154218]

Janet Anderson

[holding answer 16 March 2001]: The decision to close access to all its waterways located in affected and restricted areas from the beginning of the month to help limit the spread of foot and mouth disease was made by British Waterways.

The Government have established a taskforce chaired by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment to consider the implications of the outbreak of foot and mouth disease for the rural economy. The implications for the canal network (and other waterways) will be within the ambit of this group, which will be considering actions to help those caught up in the crisis and measures to help the rural economy once the outbreak has been eradicated.