Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent discussions he has had with the (a) Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and (b) Secretary of State for Transport on the Canal and River Trust's recommendation for Government funding of £200m for capital works to enable more freight to be carried on inland waterways.

The Chancellor and HM Treasury ministers have regular conversations with the Secretary of State for the Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs and the Secretary of State for the Department of Transport in respect of a wide range of capital investment schemes. Any specific bids from departments for capital investment will be discussed at the Spending Review.