§ 2.52 p.m.
LORD JANNERMy 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 are aware that only 10 per cent. of swimmers in Great Britain learn how to save life and in view of this and the fact that accidental deaths by drowning are more than 700 annually, whether they will identify themselves actively with this year's National Lifesaving Campaign, which the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents and the Royal Life Saving Society have organised; and whether they will provide adequate grants for training purposes in respect of lifesaving.
§ THE MINISTER OF STATE, HOME OFFICE (LORD HARRIS OF GREENWICH)My Lords, the Government support this campaign and my honourable friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Home Office spoke at its launching. The Home Office has prepared supporting publicity. The Royal Life Saving Society and the Surf Life Saving Association receive annual grants from the Sports Council, and local authorities generally have power to assist the water safety activities of voluntary organisations.
LORD JANNERMy Lords, while thanking my noble friend for that Answer, as this is a matter of immediate importance may I ask whether, through the various media, he will speed up the Government's action so that Ministers who speak at various functions—for example, at the opening of swimming pools and so on—definitely express their concern about so many people indulging in water sports when they are themselves not able to save their own lives, even if they swim, and certainly are not able to save the lives of other people? Thus we should emphasise that they should be trained for such a purpose wherever and whenever it is possible.
§ LORD HARRIS OF GREENWICHMy Lords, the Government take a serious view of this campaign. They are supporting it by making posters available to the organisers of the campaign. A short film has also been made available. My right honourable friend the Home Secretary announced on May 7 that he was setting up a Working Party on Water Safety Measures. In fact, this Working Party will sit for the first time this month.