Barry Gardiner has responded to the following written
parliamentary questions:
Paul Rowen (Lib Dem, Rochdale):
To ask the
Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions his
Department has had on the future funding of maintenance of the Rochdale Canal
with British Waterways; and if he will make a statement.
Barry Gardiner:
It is for British Waterways to
prioritise its expenditure in the light of competing demands. My Department is
engaged in discussions with British Waterways over its funding for 2007-08 and
its likely impact over a range of areas.
Mark Harper (Con, Forest of Dean):
To ask the
Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the budget is
for British Waterways for (a) 2006-07 and (b) each of the following three
financial years.
Barry Gardiner:
I refer the hon. Member to the
reply given to the hon. Member for Leominster (Bill Wiggin) on 7 November 2006,
Official Report, column 1067W.
Mark Harper (Con, Forest of Dean):
To ask the
Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs by how much the cost
of boating licences will increase in each of the next three years; and what
assessment he has made of the impact of these rises on the boating industry in
England.
Barry Gardiner:
DEFRA sponsors the three largest
navigation authorities, which are British Waterways (BW), the Environment
Agency (EA) and the Broads Authority.
BW plans to increase fees by 2.7 per cent. from 1 April
2007 and is considering an additional 10 per cent. increase over and above the
agreed licence fee index from 2008 onwards. The EA, following consultation with
users, has approved an increase in registration fees of 12 per cent. for
2007-08, with the total increase over the next three years likely to be around
40 per cent. The Broads Authority charges tolls for vessels using its
waterways. Tolls for 2007-08 have not been finalised but are likely to increase
by 9.9 per cent. for private craft and 6.1 per cent. for hire fleet vessels.
The cost of maintaining our inland waterways is considerable
and in order for them to remain sustainable, boaters need to contribute a fair
and reasonable amount. Research and consultation carried out by DEFRA-sponsored
navigation authorities suggest that, while any increase in licence and/or
registration fees is unpopular, they are still manageable. The cost of boating
on other inland waterways is a matter for the relevant navigation
authority.
Mike Hancock (Lib Dem, Portsmouth South):
To ask
the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress
has been made in implementing Waterways for Tomorrow; what plans he has
for its implementation in the next 12 months; and if he will make a statement.
Barry Gardiner:
Waterways for Tomorrow
sets out the Government's policies for the inland waterways of England and
Wales. The Inland Waterways Amenity Advisory Council is currently assessing the
extent to which the policies in Waterways for Tomorrow have been put into
practice and I await their report with interest.
Mike Hancock (Lib Dem, Portsmouth South):
To ask
the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what research he
has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the effect of the reduction in the
grant-in-aid to British Waterways on the ability of that organisation to
increase the level of freight carried on waterways.
Barry Gardiner:
It is for British Waterways to
prioritise its activities in the light of competing demands for available
resources. |
