§ 74. Mr. McInnesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what consultations he has had with the local authorities, and other interested bodies, on the question of the infilling of the Monkland Canal and the provision of safety measures at the Forthand Clyde canals, in order to reduce the number of fatal and non-fatal occurrences at these canals.
§ 75 and 76. Mr. D. Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many children have been drowned in the past two years in the waterway bordering on North-East Glasgow, known locally as the Monkland Canal;
(2) what proposals he is considering for substituting water mains for the existing open waterway, known as Monkland Canal, in the North-East of Glasgow, to remove this menace to the lives of children in the neighbourhood.
§ Mr. Hannanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will convene a conference of representatives of the British Transport Commission, the local authority and other responsible bodies in Glasgow, to consider the provision of adequate and efficient barriers at recognised dangerous sites of the Forth and Clyde and Monkland canals adjacent to public thoroughfares in the city; and if he will take early action, in view of public disquiet at the frequent losses of children's lives by drowning.
§ Mr. J. StuartOne child was drowned in the Monkland Canal in 1951, two in 1952, and none this year.
30WAs I have recently informed the hon. Member for Glasgow, Central (Mr. McInnes), I have no power to fill in the canal; but in view of the anxiety about the danger, especially to children—which I naturally share—I am suggesting that the Minister of State should meet representatives of the Corporation of Glasgow and the British Transport Commission to discuss the situation in all its aspects.