§ Mr. SpearingTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if, following the public reaction to the report of the Hayes committee on river safety and any representations made to him, he will consider publishing a Green Paper reviewing safety on rivers and waterways, other than the tidal Thames, and the ways in which safety can be improved thereon, including consideration that the statutory duty for co-ordinating the safety requirements become the specific responsibility of the relevant navigation authority.
§ Mr. NorrisAs my right hon. Friend announced on 7 July, he is setting up district marine safety committees to review in each of their areas the way in which responsibilities for safety, rescue and accident prevention are currently distributed. Their remit includes safety on rivers and waterways. They will consider ways in which safety can be improved and ensure that improvements are implemented and sustained. It would not be appropriate to prescribe particular solutions at this stage; we intend that the proposals should come from the individual committees and therefore reflect the circumstances of their area.