To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her policy is on the acquisition by British Waterways of privately owned marinas. [122773]

British Waterways is a public corporation with statutory powers to acquire land and to provide services and facilities for the amenity or recreational use of its waterways. It wishes to see a diverse and competitive market for marinas and related businesses along its waterways in order to provide a range of services and facilities for both boaters and visitors.British Waterways is committed to operating its marinas in a fair and open way and will shortly be bringing forward proposals to increase transparency in its marina businesses. I welcome this move.