To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what requests he has received for assistance from organisations whose interests are to develop canals and waterways throughout the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

Applications have been received from five canal societies concerned with waterway restoration for funding under the Department's special grants programme 1988–89. Decisions on these will be given shortly. The Department has also had notice of a proposed application for assistance from the European regional development fund in respect of the upper reaches of the Manchester ship canal.