HC Deb 21 December 1972 vol 848 cc473-4W
Mr. Cledwyn Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will, in view of the high rate of fatal accidents among mountain walkers and climbers in the Welsh mountains, recommend the introduction of way-marking and labelling of cairns as one of the methods of reducing accidents especially in bad weather; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Gibson-Watt

In appropriate cases way-marking and labelling of cairns is useful although there is little evidence that the high rate of fatal accidents is due even partly to the absence of such marking. More important causes are lack of proper equipment and experienced leadership of parties resorting to the mountains. The proposed appointment of liaison officers in the various national parks, whose task will be to advise school and other parties in such matters, will I hope result in an improve-

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