What do you lot make of this one? **********************************************
Early Day Motion on British Waterways Privatisation Publication Date: 7th June 2007; The Inland Waterways Association (IWA), continues to lobby Parliamentarians on behalf of all waterways users, and is pleased to report that Charlotte Atkins, Labour MP for Staffordshire Moorlands, has lodged an Early Day Motion urging government to rule out the option of privatisation of British Waterways in the forthcoming review of funding options. Early Day Motion 1606 states: "That this House notes that British Waterways has undergone a transformation in recent years, with tens of millions of pounds of public money invested in the inland waterway network; believes that this has benefited both rural and urban communities throughout the country; notes that the Government has asked British Waterways to consider methods of maximising its income; further notes that there has been universal condemnation of any idea of privatising the canals and river navigations; and strongly believes that privatisation of the inland waterways should not be an option pursued by any government". IWA urges its members and other waterways enthusiasts and supporters to contact their MP and to lobby them to sign up and support Early Day Motion 1606 as the Association does not believe privatisation of the waterways would be in the best interests of the network. This motion will provide the waterways lobby with an opportunity to highlight the shortsightedness of the privatisation approach and allow yet another opportunity to maintain the focus on the real issue to the waterways movement; the issue of funding cuts, keeping pressure on Government for better funding for canals and river navigations. John Fletcher IWA national chairman said: "It is clear that IWA's lobby on behalf of all waterway users continues to gain, and hold, wide support. It remains imperative that all waterways users continue to be resolute; actively voicing their opinions, and do not allow privatisation by default or stealth. I would urge all those who care for the waterways to write to their MP in support of Early Day Motion 1606 now ". Please use the following link to find your MP and contact them to register your concerns over privatisation. http://www.writetothem.com/ The following website allows you to review the Early Day motion and check which MPs have signed up for it. http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=33412&SESSION=885 IWA asks that people write to their MP in support of this motion even if they have already signed the Motion, so that your MP knows that you support their action and are grateful for their support. Ends For more information please contact: Jo Gilbertson Campaign Coordinator Tel: 01923 711114 Ext 31 E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] *************************************************** -- Neil Arlidge - NB Earnest - Shannon Reg 7410 Read about the start of our Irish travels at: http://www.tuesdaynightclub.co.uk/Tour_07/April_07/index.html Visit this site and help save our waterways from the DEFRA cuts http://www.saveourwaterways.org.uk/
