NABO has sent the following to the Private Bill Office in the Lords:

We are advised that a debate on the Report Stage for the Middle Level Bill has now been scheduled for Wed 28th February. We note also that the Third Reading may also take place that day, and if it passes, the Bill will go to the Lords the next day, which will trigger the start of the petitioning period in the Lords.

The National Association of Boat Owners (NABO) is a membership organisation, principally consisting of private boat owners based on the inland waterways. NABO exists to represent the interests of its members with navigation authorities and government organisations and to promote responsible ownership and use of inland boats.

NABO supports the Bill in principle but that we feel that there should be a statutory provision for a minimum level of facilities and visitor moorings contained within the Bill. Otherwise, given the present lack of facilities and visitor moorings, the result of this bill could simply be a money gathering exercise for the Middle Level Commissioners and boaters would gain nothing from the revenue collected.

Mike  Rodd