HL Deb 07 August 1972 vol 334 cc744-5

2.44 p.m.

LORD JANNER

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the second Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will set up an independent commission on water safety in view of the serious number of drowning accidents.

VISCOUNT COLVILLE OF CULROSS

My Lords, Her Majesty's Government share the noble Lord's concern at the continuing loss of life in drowning accidents generally. We are urgently studying a proposal for the appointment of an independent commission which we have just received from the National Water Safety Committee of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, but I cannot yet say what the conclusion will be.

LORD JANNER

My Lords, I should like to thank the noble Viscount for his reply. In view of the urgency of the matter, would lie please consider that it should be dealt with very quickly? At present, having regard to the fact that water is being used for additional recreational purposes, for waterways and so on, the likelihood is that the number of accidents will increase; consequently it is essential that the various organisations concerned throughout the country should be brought together to find out the best way of dealing with the situation.

VISCOUNT COLVILLE OF CULROSS

My Lords, I understand entirely the need for urgency which the noble Lord urges upon us. The Report was, I think, dated July 25, and to have made up our minds on it between that date and to-day would possibly exceed even the admirable record of this Government. But the list in Appendix A of the organisations who are responsible shows how widely this information has been put together and the range over which the inquiry has investigated. We ought to take it seriously. I do not in any way disparage the idea of there being urgency, but it is a complicated matter with a large number of interlocking Departments and voluntary and other organisations, as the noble Lords knows, and if I were to say that my right honourable friend is going to make a decision the day after to-morrow it would be misleading.

LORD JANNER

My Lords, in view of the ability of the noble Viscount—I am grateful to him for the manner in which he has replied—I am sure he will find ways of dealing with the matter rapidly.