To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what resources he plans to make available to British Waterways to repair the existing canal system. [76644]

My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister announced on 18 February an increase in grant to British Waterways, by £8 million to nearly £59 million a year. Over the next three years this will enable British Waterways to increase the amount of investment and reduce the backlog of urgent maintenance from £90 million to £40 million.