"Steve Haywood" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >This puts Adrian in a very interesting position, Richard. > >As far as I can see he has four options (though others may see more): > >1. He denies that there is a social dimension to BW's activities >2. He accepts it and concedes that his pure economic models are only >applicable to pure economic circumstances and changes his mind about most of >what he's been saying on the subject these last four years >3. He accepts it what you say but takes no notice of it. >4. He ignores your posting completely. > >Steve > >> The FM also says: >> >> "Under powers contained in the 1962 and 1968 Transport Acts BW has >> responsibility for over 3,200km of canals and rivers, including statutory >> navigation and safety functions. It carries out these responsibilities >> within a >> wider context where, subject to economic and environmental appraisal and in >> partnership with others in the public and private sectors, it aims to >> promote >> and accommodate conservation and regeneration; to maintain and enhance >> leisure, recreation, tourism and educational opportunities for the general >> public; and to facilitate waterway transport."
>> Richard I accept that BW's duties are as Richard has quoted. The government has decided it wants the waterways retained (or has it?), for a variety of reasons. It caused BW to be created, and retained, to ensure this occurs. Is that a "social dimension" of BW? I don't think so. I think it is the provision of a mechanism to pursue a policy goal. So BW's job is to retain and maintain the waterways, for the reasons quoted above. However, if the government has a policy that the provision of access to the waterways is to be preferentially priced for the less well off, as part of a more general transfer-of-wealth approach, I think it has (a) not made that clear, and (b) not made that a duty of BW. In fact, the oppositer, as its direction to BW is that it is to market price. So my final answer is "1", Mr Tarrant, even without phoning a friend (and certainly without asking the audience). Adrian . Adrian Stott 07956-299966
