§ MR. JAMES O'CONNOR (Wicklow, W.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the recent fatal accident to a lady parachutish at Sheffield; and whether it is his intention to issue a prohibition against performances by parachutists.
§ * MR. RITCHIEI have seen accounts of this accident and view with regret public performances involving such risks to human life: but there is no law against them provided that the person is, if a female, over the age of 18, or 16 if a male. I have no power to issue the suggested prohibition.
§ * MR JAMES HOPE (Sheffield, Brightside)Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of giving to the local authority discretion in such matter.
§ * MR. RITCHIEThere has been comparatively recent legislation, and I think if we were to increase the age to meet cases of this kind strong objections might be raised. I understand that the lady parachutist who met with this accident was 23, and I question whether Parliament would be willing to consent to legislation which would prevent persons of that mature age taking part in such performances.