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Beaches

Volume 450: debated on Monday 23 October 2006

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what duties (a) local authorities and (b) other involved bodies have in respect of the duty of care for bathers on beaches; what recent meetings (i) she and (ii) officials in her Department have had on the subject; and what plans the Government have for action in this area. (95317)

Risk assessments of beaches and the provision of information and practical beach safety measures are discretionary activities for local authorities and other beach owners. However, awareness of these issues is high among coastal authorities and many undertake these activities as part of their strategy to support and encourage tourism. I met with the RNLI and am currently discussing the subject with Whitehall colleagues.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if she will ask local authorities and other beach owners who encourage the public to use their beaches to carry out a risk assessment to be published alongside tourist information and publicity. (94063)

Risk assessments of beaches and the provision of information and practical beach safety measures are discretionary activities for local authorities. However, awareness of these issues is high among coastal authorities and many undertake these activities as part of their strategy to support and encourage tourism.