MR. STANLEY WILSONI beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the fact that evidence has been recently given before the Royal Commission on Coast Erosion that, unless some immediate steps are taken to further protect the sea banks in the districts of Kilnsea and Easington, there is danger of the sea breaking through into the Humber and causing damage to the navigable channel, the Government will be prepared to make special provisions for the adequate defence of the Humber and of the Spurn.
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. LLOYD-GEORGE,) Carnarvon BoroughsAs I informed the hon. Member on 30th April last the protection of the lowlands 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 York. Any proposals which may be submitted to His Majesty's Government by the Commissioners of Sewers will receive careful consideration.
MR. STANLEY WILSONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that this danger is likely to become national and 1312 not merely local, if it interferes with the navigable channel of the Humber?
§ MR. LLOYD-GEORGEThat is not my information. There is a Commission inquiring into this and other matters, concerning the erosion of the coast.
MR. STANLEY WILSONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that this Commission is not likely to report for a considerable time and that this question is one of immediate and pressing urgency?
§ MR. LLOYD-GEORGEIf the matter is pressing surely the landowners immediately concerned will deem it then-duty to protect their own property.
MR. STANLEY WILSONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that 300 acres of land is lying absolutely derelict and is being sacrificed altogether by the landowners of this district?
§ [No Answer was returned.]