asked the Secretary of State for the Environment why the Government's pay policy is still preventing his acceptance of the British Waterways Board's programme for urgent maintenance work, which was submitted on 2nd February 1978.

The Board's proposed programme of works presents no problems as such and I indicated some time ago that it is free to proceed. Its associated proposals for staff regradings are causing difficulties in terms of pay policy. We are giving continuing attention to this matter to help to provide a solution.