§ 67. Mr. R. Gibsonasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that a further death by drowning has taken place at Greenock Harbour, bringing the total during the black-out to 21; that, beyond modified lighting, no further steps have been taken to secure the safety of those whose duties require their attendance at the harbour during the hours of the black-out; that this state of matters is continuing to cause dissatisfaction; and what further steps he proposes to take to eliminate this black-out menace?
§ Sir J. AndersonI am informed by the chief constable that there have been no deaths from drowning in Greenock Harbour since I answered the hon. Member's Question on 22nd February. A body has since then been recovered from the harbour, but it appeared to have been in the water for some weeks. Fencing has already been erected to keep unauthorised persons away from the harbour premises, and I understand that the local naval authorities and the harbour authority are considering the question of erecting further safety barriers inside the harbour. I will bring the hon. Member's representations to the notice of my right hon. Friends, the First Lord of the Admiralty and the Minister of Transport.
§ Mr. GibsonIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that all responsible authorities in Greenock consider the position extremely serious, and that since this Question was put on the Order Paper two men have fallen 20 feet into a motor boat at the East India Dock in the dark—I received that news this morning; and is he also aware that every civic representative in Greenock considers that the whole of the docks should be—
§ Mr. SpeakerThe hon. and learned Member must not make a statement. He had better send it to the Minister.