To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what consultation his Department has undertaken on the proposed changes to the opening of the Gloucester-Sharpness canal; and whether the changes have been precipitated by a reduction in funding to British Waterways. (93088)

This is an operational matter for British Waterways, which is consulting both users and trade unions. Its plans to change the operation of the locks and bridges on the Gloucester-Sharpness canal were in hand before any reduction in the 2006-07 grant was made.