§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make 715W a statement on the use of canals by industry; and what plans there are to improve the canal infrastructure to encourage industry to use them. [43527]
§ Mr. MeacherThe Freight Study Group was set up by the Government in November 2000 to examine the scope for increasing freight traffic on the inland waterways of England and Wales. My noble Friend the Lord Whitty is considering the Group's report with the Parliamentary Under-Secretary at the Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions (Mr. Jamieson), and will make an announcement in due course.