§ Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware of the conflicting claims to ownership and use of the foreshore and that these claims result in the neglect of the cleanliness of the foreshore, thereby affecting the bathing habits and health of the British public; and if he will set up an authoritative public inquiry to take evidence, determine rights and duties and make appropriate recommendations to cure the relevant social evils.
§ Mr. DiamondI am not aware of any conflicting claims to the ownership of the foreshore. This is presumed to form part of the Crown Estate until the contrary can be shown, for example by evi- 363W dence of a previous grant by the Crown. But to provide for local control of Crown foreshore in the public interest, the Crown Estate Commissioners encourage local authorities to take regulating leases of such foreshore within their districts.