I have pleasure in presenting a petition on behalf of the constituents of Banbury and other users of Britain’s inland waterways. The petition, signed by well over 1,000 of my constituents, declares:

That our inland waterways are a unique national asset that provides an important contribution to the quality of life for millions of our citizens. We therefore are deeply concerned that the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has seen fit to reduce British Waterways’ grant by some £60 million over the next five years and that of the Environment Agency by £25 million in this financial year. We believe that these cuts will have a devastating effect on the well-being of inland waterways.

The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons call upon the Government to introduce legislation to solve the immediate problems caused by these cuts to current budgets and to ensure that long-term funding is guaranteed to enable continued investment and restoration of the waterways.

And the Petitioners remain, etc.

To lie upon the Table.