Save Our Waterways.org

securing the long term future of our waterways

News about the Government and Parliament

Some facts from Hansard

Question in Parliament 25th June 2010

Waterways Minister Richard Benyon gives an oral answer to a question about the future of BW. Read more.

Question in Parliament 23rd June 2010

Waterways Minister Richard Benyon gives a written answer to a question about money BW has allocated to maintenance. Read more.

Ministerial Statement 22nd June 2010

Lord Henley read a Statement from the new Waterways Minister, Richard Benyon MP. Read more. Read text of Statement.

MPs debate Canal Funding 30th Nov 2009

An Adjournment Debate was held in the House of Commons on 30th November.

Lynda Waltho MP secured the debate on "Funding of British Waterways".

You can watch the debate via this link. (Move slider forward to 7 hrs 46 mins 50 secs.) [Firefox plugin] [Mac plugin]

You can read the transcript of the debate via this link.

Question in Parliament 28th Oct 2009

Prime Minister Gordon Brown gives an oral answer to a question about waterway funding. Read more.

Question in Parliament 13th Jan 2009

Waterways Minister Huw Irranca-Davies gives a written answer to a question about walking and cycling along routes. Read more.

Question in Parliament 18th Nov 2008

Waterways Minister Huw Irranca-Davies gives a written answer to a question about waterways expansion. Read more.

Question in Parliament 14th Nov 2008

Defra Minister Lord Hunt of Kings Heath gives a written answer to a question about BW's public relations consultants. Read more.

Early Day Motion 16th May 2008

Mr Ian Taylor introduced EDM number 1587 on Lock Keepers' Residences:
"That this House is concerned about the Environment Agency's proposal to dispose by sale or letting of 22 lock-keepers' homes along the Thames; recognises the importance of lock-keepers being resident in homes adjacent to locks to maintain safety on the river; fears for the welfare of the lock-keepers and their families; and calls on the Government to ask the Environment Agency to re-examine its decision so as to protect this unique part of the nation's river heritage and the tradition of lock-keepers living at the site of locks." Link to list of signatures.

Question in Parliament 11th March 2008

Waterways Minister Jonathan Shaw gives a written answer to a question about funding for DEFRA's arm's length bodies. Read more.

Question in Parliament 18th Feb 2008

Waterways Minister Jonathan Shaw gives a written answer to a question about waterways funding. Read more.

Question in Parliament 18th Feb 2008

Waterways Minister Jonathan Shaw gives a written answer to questions about British Waterways' withdrawal from the Cotswold Canals partnership. Read more.

Question in Parliament 7th Feb 2008

Lord Privy Seal Hariet Harman gives an answer to a question concerning British Waterways' withdrawal from the Cotswold Canals partnership. Read more.

Question in Parliament 21st Jan 2008

DEFRA Minister Lord Rooker gives a written answer to a question about funding provided to British Waterways, including a list of figures. Read more.

Question in Parliament 8th Jan 2008

DEFRA Minister Phil Woolas answers a question about public spending on canals. Read more.

MPs debate Canal Funding 11th Dec 2007

A 90 minute Private Members' Debate was held in Westminster Hall on 11th December.

Michael Fabricant MP secured the debate on the "Future Funding of Canals".

You can watch the debate via this link.

You can read the transcript of the debate via this link.

Question in Parliament 10th Dec 2007

Waterways Minister Jonathan Shaw answers a question about waterways funding. Read more.

Question in Parliament 6th Dec 2007

Secretary of State Hilary Benn gives an oral answer to a question about waterways funding. Read more.

Question in Parliament 5th Dec 2007

Waterways Minister Jonathan Shaw answers a question about waterways funding. Read more.

Presentation of Save Our Waterways Petition 14th May 2007

Save Our Waterways petition, with 38,101 signatures was presented to the then Waterways Minister, Barry Gardiner.
Read more and see photo.