§ 7. Mr. de Ferrantiasked the Minister of Transport when he anticipates being in a position to take action, following the inquiry held at Windermere on 20th September, 1960, with regard to the need for additional safety rules on the lake, in view of the increasing use of fast motor boats.
§ The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport (Mr. John Hay)We are considering the recommendations made by the professional officer who held the inquiry and we expect to be able to reach a decision shortly.
§ Mr. de FerrantiWe are most grateful to my hon. Friend for the speed with which he has got on with dealing with the problem, but may I ask him to bear in mind when reaching a decision the very important recommendation that there should be at least two people in a motor boat when it is towing a water skier—one looking where the boat is going and one looking at the skier?
§ Mr. HayI have no doubt that that point was taken into account by our professional officer at the inquiry, but I will see that it is kept in mind.
Mr. J. WellsWill my hon. Friend look at this matter from a national point of view before taking action in a particular area, because it is a growing problem in all areas? Will he take the advice of the Ship and Boat Builders National Federation on the matter?
§ Mr. HayI have to bear in mind that we are concerned with navigation on this particular lake, but I think we may learn very useful lessons as a result of the inquiry, and to that extent I agree with my hon. Friend.