To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of the likely impact on British Waterways’ ability to meet its deadline for 2012 for the full clearance of the maintenance arrears if British Waterways’ grant-in-aid is to be set at £55.4 million with a five per cent. year on year reduction with adjustments for retail price index; and whether a new deadline has been set for the removal of these arrears. (130881)

Funding levels over the Comprehensive Spending Review period have not yet been decided. British Waterways’ target to clear its maintenance arrears by December 2012, which it published in 2002-03, was predicated on assumptions of both Government grant and planned returns on commercial income. British Waterways adjusts its plans in the light of updated figures for both grant and income.

While the safety backlog has been completed, no date has been set for completion of the maintenance backlog. British Waterways will continue to reduce it using a risk-based approach as it moves towards greater self sufficiency through finding ways to boost income.