§ 50. Mr. DAYasked the First Commissioner of Works whether, in view of the recent accidents which have occurred in the Serpentine, any additional precautions are being taken for the purpose of protecting life; and will he give particulars?
§ 52. Sir N. GRATTAN-DOYLEasked the First Commissioner of Works what steps are taken to secure the safety of bathers in the Serpentine; and how many deaths and rescues from drowning have occurred since the initiation of the extended facilities?
§ 49. Mr. DOUGLAS HACKINGasked the First Commissioner of Works the number of bathers who have had to be rescued from possible drowning in the Serpentine since mixed bathing was introduced; and whether he will issue instructions to limit the area of water which may be used for bathing so that the present risk of drowning may be lessened?
§ Mr. LANSBURYThere have, unfortunately, been two deaths since the commencement of mixed bathing, but each was due to the state of health of the bather. In addition, 30 persons have been rescued by officers of the Royal Humane Society. During this period, however, at least 100,000 persons have bathed in the Serpentine. I would emphasise the point that the bathing is absolutely safe provided that bathers are in ordinary health and take those obvious precautions which are expected of bathers at the seaside. Nevertheless, in order to make the task of the officers of the Royal Humane Society easier, I have decided to limit the outward extent of the bathing area, which, I would remind hon. Members was not larger than it had always been. The limited area is now marked clearly by buoys and for the benefit of non-swimmers, I am arranging for a number of smaller buoys to indicate the point beyond which the depth of water exceeds 4 feet 6 inches. These precautions, together with the assistance of the Royal Humane Society and St. John's Ambulance, are, I consider, as much as present conditions require.
§ Mr. DAYCan my right hon. Friend say whether the attendants at the Serpentine have any special swimming experience in life saving?
§ Mr. LANSBURYCertainly, they are people who are supplied by the Royal Humane Society.
§ Sir N. GRATTAN-DOYLEMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, in regard to the first part of his answer to Question No. 52, he will bear in mind the present position and condition of the Serpentine as a potential source of infection, in view of the fact that it has not been cleaned out for the last 50 years?
§ Mr. LANSBURYI think that the House ought to know, or rather the House may like to be reminded, that many millions of people have bathed in the Serpentine for years past and that the only innovation which has been made, as far as bathers are concerned, is that women bathe there as well as men.
§ Sir N. GRATTAN-DOYLEOn a point of Order. May I ask you, Sir, whether the right hon. Gentleman has replied to my question? My question was in regard to the present condition of the Serpentine and whether it was not a potential source of infection, in view of the fact that it has not been cleaned out for 50 years?
§ Mr. SPEAKERNo point of Order arises.