§ Mr. Geoffrey Lloydasked the Minister of Public Building and Works (1) what arrangements for rescue are maintained for persons using the lakes in the Royal parks;
453W(2) what arrangements exist to ensure that boats available for hire in the Royal parks are maintained in a safe condition.
§ Mr. John SilkinThe contractors who have been granted boating concessions are responsible for maintaining the boats and equipment in good order, and the contracts provide for the park Superintendents to enforce this. Boatmen employed by the contractors must be good swimmers and must render prompt assistance in the event of an accident. During summer weekends a motor patrol boat operates on the Serpentine where the water is deeper than in the lakes in the other parks. Paid and volunteer life guards are in attendance at the Serpentine Lido, and they operate from the bank and from boats patrolling the swimming area. Lifebuoys are placed at strategic points around lakes.