HC Deb 08 July 1965 vol 715 c290W
44. Dr. Wyndham Davies

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in view of the fact that in 1962 there were 1,027 deaths in Great Britain due to accidental drowning and that in England and Wales 626 of these occurred in inland waterways and at the seaside, and a further 82 people were drowned from small boats, what investigations he has made to ascertain how many of these victims had been taught to swim.

Mr. George Thomas

My right hon. and learned Friend shares the hon. Member's deep concern at the number of deaths from drowning, but he doubts whether the value of the information to which he refers would justify the labour of assembling it.