§ SIR M. BHOWNAGGREEI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if there have been any deaths, and if so, how many, within the last 12 months by accidental drowning in the east end portion, of the Regent's Canal; and (2) if it is proposed to adopt any special precautions during the winter against accidents likely to result from the unprotected condition of that part of the Canal?
§ SIR MATTHEW WHITE RIDLEYI have not the information which would enable me to answer the first paragraph of the Question, but I will call for it and communicate it to the hon. Member. As I informed him on a previous occasion, I have no power to compel the adoption of the necessary precautions, but in accordance with the promise I then gave I brought the matter to the notice of the directors of the company, whose property the canal banks are, and I have been given to understand by them that they do not intend taking any steps in the matter. In these circumstances I propose, after obtaining a special report on the place where the majority of the accidents occur, to consider what further action on my part is desirable and possible in the interest of the public safety. ["Hear, hear!"]