§ Captain BRISCOE by Private Noticeasked the Home Secretary what further steps it is proposed to take, in view of the disastrous collapse of the two dams near Dolgarrog, North Wales, to prevent danger to the public from such dams?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSThe Government have carefully reviewed the situation and have come to the conclusion that there should be a further investigation of a technical character into the design and construction of the dams which gave way and other local dams under the control of the Aluminium Corporation and the North Wales Power Company. It has now been arranged that these companies will employ an engineering firm of high standing, not hitherto connected with the dams, whose name will be submitted for the approval of the Government, to hold a full investigation on these lines. The report of this investigation will be available to the Government, and the whole question will be further considered in the light of that report.
Lieut.-Colonel WATTS-MORGANWill the right hon. Gentleman see that somebody who has a good knowledge of the district, technically and otherwise, will be one of those to take part in the inquiry into this very serious matter?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSAs the hon. and gallant Member will see from my answer to the question, I have no real power in the matter. I must proceed by negotiation. The companies have agreed to submit the plans of the dam to an independent engineer, and as soon as I have had a report from the engineer, I shall be able to consider whether or not any legislation is necessary.
Lieut.-Colonel WATTS-MORGANCould the right hon. Gentleman not invite the companies to agree to somebody who is an expert and who knows the district well taking part in the inquiry? I think they will agree.
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSIf the hon. and gallant Gentleman will give me or my Department the name of anyone in the district whom he would like to have called as a witness, I will submit that name.
§ Colonel DAYWill the right hon. Gentleman make the report public?
§ Mr. HERBERT WILLIAMSWill the right hon. Gentleman ask the engineer who is going to carry out the inquiry to 1967 make particular investigation as to the depth to which the foundations were carried?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSA good deal is known already in regard to those matters, and it is in consequence of those facts that I am asking for the inquiry.