MR. STANLEY WILSONI beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he intends to have the seabank running from Easington to Kilnsea, in East Yorkshire, reconstructed during the summer in order to prevent the flooding of the low-lying lands in that district which takes place at every abnormal tide; and whether he is aware that unless this is done the road, which is the only means of communication with the Spurn and Kilnsea village, will be destroyed; and that there is also the danger of the sea breaking through this neck of land and joining with the Humber.
§ MR. LLOYD-GEORGEThe maintenance of seabanks for the protection of the low lands of Kilnsea and Easington is a duty devolving not upon the Government but upon the owners of the land liable to be flooded and upon the Commissioners of Sewers for the east parts of the East Riding of Yorkshire. I understand that the Commissioners are considering the construction of a short seabank across the narrowest portion of the Kilnsea low level to prevent the flooding of a considerable portion of the area referred to. The Government in 1903 offered a contribution of £400 towards the construction of a bank which the Commissioners proposed at that time to make, as it was considered that it would assist in protecting the road to the Spurn Point works and the coastguard station, but that bank has not been proceeded with. The Commissioners have recently applied to the Government to renew their offer of £400 in connection with the work now proposed on the ground that it will protect the road. The matter is now under consideration.