§ MR. CLYNES (Manchester, N.E.)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that on different dates since January, 1905, six children have been drowned at the Barnes side of the Thames, near Hammersmith Bridge, through accidents which might have been avoided by proper protection of the river bank; and whether, as the place named is continually used by playing children, his Department can, through the Thames Conservancy, take immediate action effectively to guard against a continuance of these cases of drowning.
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. CHURCHILL,) DundeeI have ascertained from the Home Office that six children have been drowned at the spot indicated since January, 1905, 852 and that the police have been instructed to pay every attention to the place, particularly in school holiday time, with a view to preventing further fatalities, though it is doubtful whether anything short of the provision of a wall or railing on this somewhat steep embankment will make it safe. The Thames Conservancy inform me that they are under no obligation to fence towpaths to prevent people falling into the river, but they are ready to give the local authority permission to construct protective works, provided these do not interfere with the use of the towpath or navigation.