§ Mr. Robert McCartneyTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is his Department's responsibility for the river flowing from Clandeboye estate into the Kilcooley estate in Bangor where two children drowned on the night of 15 November. [2508]
§ Mr. MossThis is a matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and I am advised by the chief executive that the section of the watercourse in question forms the boundary between the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and a private housing development. The Housing Executive, as the riparian owner of that part of the stream adjacent to the estate, has joint responsibility for its maintenance to ensure a free flow of water, and carries out maintenance on a monthly basis.