HC Deb 20 March 1957 vol 567 cc377-8
33. Mr. H. Hynd

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether, in view of the fact described in the letter sent him by the hon. Member for Accrington, he will issue a general direction to the British Transport Commission with a view to removing the danger caused to children by canals.

The Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation (Mr. Harold Watkinson)

No, Sir. I greatly deplore these accidents, but the dangers cannot be entirely removed without interference with the very necessary right of access to canal banks. In the particular case about which the hon. Member wrote to me, British Transport Waterways is meeting the local council on the site tomorrow to see what can be done to reduce the danger there.

Mr. Hynd

As the Minister is apparently well aware of the case I have in mind where there has been a series of tragic accidents to children, will he do everything he can in his Department to help the local authorities and the Commission to overcome this difficulty?

Mr. Watkinson

Yes, I certainly will.