§ 24. Mr. Shurmerasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will give a general direction to the British Transport Commission to improve the fencing of canals at danger spots, in view of the continuing anxiety of parents for their children's lives, particularly in the coming summer months.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydI do not think this problem can be properly or effectively dealt with by means of a general direction, involving as it does canal owners (of whom the British Transport Commission is not the only one), local authorities, riparian owners and other interested parties. I think that the best way to reach a solution is by local co-operation in each particular case.
§ Mr. ShurmerIs the Minister aware that the local authorities have passed the buck to the Inland Waterways Executive who have passed the buck back to the local authorities, that quite a number of children have been drowned in Birmingham alone, and that in the central area there is a bomb site open to the canal, and bridges which are not high enough? Surely someone must be made responsible. Large meetings have been held by a number of associations in the area, and 1180 something has to be done. Can the Minister tell us who is responsible and what can be done to prevent children from losing their lives in the coming summer months?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydAs the Parliamentary Secretary pointed out in a long letter on this subject on 22nd November, this is a practical matter which is much better settled locally and not by attempting a national solution of what is not capable of a national answer. If the hon. Gentleman is not satisfied that there is local co-operation, and if he will give me details of the lack of consultation and where the consultation is falling down, I will take steps to stimulate it.