Captain HALLasked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the use of speed boats on 47W navigable rivers where no regulations exist; whether he will consider the desirability of taking powers to frame such regulations; and how many rivers there are which are thus affected?
§ Sir H. SAMUELI have been asked to reply. A few complaints on this matter have from time to time been received, but I have no information as to the number of rivers on which speed boats are used. As the hon. Member is aware, many of the principal rivers, like the Thames and Severn, are under the control of conservators who have wide powers under private Acts for regulating river traffic. On other rivers or estuaries not so regulated, notably the River Avon and those in the county of Devon, good rule by-laws have been made by borough and county councils for dealing with danger from motor boats and requiring them to be fitted with silencers. I am not aware at present of the need for any further powers.