HC Deb 14 June 1972 vol 838 cc1484-5
7. Mr. Simon Mahon

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many people have lost their lives since the end of the 1939–45 war or vesting day in the Liverpool and Leeds Canal on the stretches between Liverpool, Lockfields, and Bootle, including Aintree, Netherton, Crosby and Sefton; how many of these were infants and schoolchildren; and, in view of the demand by the parents of children in these areas for the immediate closing of this waterway, what action he proposes to take.

Mr. John Peyton

Twenty-nine children lost their lives in these stretches of canal between 1955 and 1968. There has since been no loss until last April when a boy was drowned. The future of this "remainder" length of canal is a matter for the British Waterways Board. A Study Group it has set up with the local authorities concerned is expected to report shortly.

Mr. Mahon

Is it not a disastrous figure, in any terms, that 30 children should lose their lives in the stretch of one canal? Is the Minister aware that thousands of my constituents have signed a petition because they are sick of the repeated deaths in this canal and fed up with the prevarication of local authorities which do not seem to be aware of the stinking, horrible, foul-smelling canal in the midst of my constituency? Will he take action over this matter and tell British Waterways to take its finger out?

Mr. Peyton

I like to be a little careful about the instructions I give to nationalised undertakings. I well recognise the hon. Gentleman's perfectly proper concern in this matter, and I have no doubt that his forthright comments will be noted by both the local authorities concerned and the British Waterways Board.

Mr. Tilney

Is there the same loss of life in European cities which have as many canals as they have roads? Is it not possible to safeguard life and yet make the canals objects of beauty?

Mr. Peyton

I should like to make all canals objects of beauty. I think the hon. Member for Bootle (Mr. Simon Mahon) is sharply aware that it might be difficult in this case. I cannot hazard any opinions on the subject of European canals at the moment.

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