§ 4. Mr. DUFFYasked the President of the Board of Trade if he has received representations from the Millom Urban District Council on the question of coast erosion; and whether, having regard to the fact that this is a national service, he will consider the question of making it a charge upon the finances of the nation?
§ Viscount WOLMERThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. In reply to the second part of the question I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. and gallant Member for Torquay on 19th February.
§ Mr. DUFFYIs the Noble Lord aware of the fact that many of these local authorities have reached their rateable limit and that this national work cannot, will not, and ought not to be done at the expense of the ratepayers?
§ Mr. R. RICHARDSONMay I draw attention to the fact that in many parts of the country this is a very serious matter indeed, and will the Noble Lord not do something to try to prevent it?
§ Viscount WOLMERThe matter was carefully considered by a Royal Commission some years ago, and no new reasons have been put forward to depart from the course which they recommended.
§ Mr. H. H. SPENCERHas not very very serious damage been done, especially in Lincolnshire, since the Royal Commission sat, and is not that sufficient reason for reconsidering the matter?
§ Viscount WOLMERI do not think that the damage done since the Royal Commission sat is more than was done before it sat.
§ Mr. RICHARDSONI assure the Noble Lord that it is so.