§ MR. LIONEL HOLLAND (Tower Hamlets, Bow and Bromley)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to loss of life by drowning resulting from the alleged want of proper fencing to protect canals and the banks of the River Lea within the Metropolitan area; and whether he could order an inspection to be made, and, if it is ascertained by such inspection that there are places unprotected through want of fencing or through the fencing or walls being out of repair, he could call upon the proper authority to make the necessary safeguards to protect life?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. C. T. RITCHIE,) CroydonMy attention has on several occasions been called to this matter. The Board of Trade have no power to order an inspection for such a purpose, or to put pressure on canal companies to compel them to erect fencing. I can only say 1442 that if my hon. Friend will specify the dangerous places to which he refers, I will make a representation to the companies on the subject.