asked the Minister of Transport whether anything has yet been done to implement the recommendation of the Royal Commission on Transport of 1931, that he should take steps to set up public trusts which would acquire such canals as he considers it would be in the national interest to preserve and improve?

No, Sir. I have no powers under which I could take the action proposed. My hon. and gallant Friend will be aware that since 1930 considerable improvements have been made in certain of the more important waterways.