§ Sir B. Jannerasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government (1) whether he will now commend to local authorities the national colour code recommended by the National Water Safety Committee established by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents;
(2) if he will make it easier for local authorities to promote water safety by contributing to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents.
§ Mr. MacCollThe Government are anxious that the code shall gain general currency and be understood as widely as possible, especially by children. My right hon. Friend and his right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales 29W have already issued on 9th June a circular commending the code, which has already been widely adopted, to local authorities and river authorities. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science will send a copy to local education authorities and to non-maintained educational institutions, voluntary youth organisations and certain sports organisations.
The circular also conveys a general consent by my right hon. Friends under Section 136 of the Local Government Act, 1948, to relieve local authorities of the need to seek specific Ministerial approval in each case where they propose to make a financial contribution towards the valuable work which R.o.S.P.A., and many other voluntary bodies, are doing, both nationally and locally, to promote water safety.