18. Mr. Dugdaleasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he is aware that 21 children between the ages of two and nine years of age have been drowned in canals in the Midlands since July, 1953; and if he will exercise his powers under Section 41 of the Railway and Canal Traffic Act, 1888, to appoint an inspector.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydI am very concerned about these accidents. The remedy lies in the hands of parents and in co-operation between canal and local authorities in relation to individual danger spots. While I do not think that the appointment of an inspector is the real answer, I will consider the matter and this suggestion further with the British Transport Commission.
Mr. DugdaleWill the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that it is worth the very small expenditure which would be involved in the appointment of an inspector if it resulted in saving the life of even one child?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThe House would get a misleading impression if it were thought that the inspector would be someone to patrol the canal banks. An inspector would be appointed to inquire into a particular stretch of canal which was dangerous to the public, and into that alone.