HC Deb 09 July 1953 vol 517 cc1470-2
11. Mr. Driberg

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he has considered the letters from residents of Burnham-on-Crouch, forwarded to him by the hon. Member for Maldon, expressing concern about the state of the sea defences at Burnham and objecting to the payment of the river board rate and its inequitable incidence; and if he will make a statement.

Sir T. Dugdale

Yes, Sir, and I shall be writing to the hon. Member in a few days. As I have already announced to the House, improvements are contemplated in the Burnham-on-Crouch area.

The question of drainage rates which are levied on properties in areas avoiding danger or deriving benefits from drainage operations is a difficult one. It is closely connected so far as the coastal areas are concerned with the deliberations of the Waverley Committee, and I cannot anticipate their recommendations.

Mr. Driberg

Would the Minister at least draw the attention of the Committee to the unhappy situation in places such as this where people living on one side of a street have to pay this special rate while people on the other side do not have to do so, and those who have to pay the most are those who have suffered most in the floods?

Sir T. Dugdale

Yes, I appreciate these difficulties and the mere fact that the Question has been asked in this House will draw the attention of the Committee to the difficult points.

17. Mr. Braine

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will make a statement concerning the progress of work on the restoration and strengthening of flood and sea defences, with special reference to Canvey Island.

22. Brigadier Medlicott

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will now make a statement as to the progress of work on the strengthening of coastal defences, particularly along the coast of Norfolk; and whether all the emergency work considered necessary will have been completed before the advent of the heavy seas likely in the autumn.

Sir T. Dugdale

In view of the considerable progress that has been achieved to date, I feel that I can say with confidence that the immediate task will be achieved and that restoration to pre-flood standard will be substantially completed by the 30th September. By that time improvement works designed to withstand a tide as severe as that which occurred on the 31st January will be very well advanced in all important areas including Canvey Island and the Norfolk coast to which my hon. Friends particularly refer.

Mr. Braine

Does that answer not indicate that my right hon. Friend was right in fixing an arbitrary date for the completion of the work by the river boards?

Mr. G. Brown

Does not the right hon. Gentleman's answer also indicate that the work which will not be done by that date and which will not, therefore, attract the 100 per cent. grant, will be something very unfortunate for Canvey Island and other places?

Sir T. Dugdale

I think not.

Brigadier Medlicott

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the speed with which the problem as a whole has been tackled reflects great credit on all concerned and will bring great reassurance to the people living in the afflicted areas?

Mr. Driberg

Is the Minister aware that the people of Burnham-on-Crouch are not yet aware of the speed with which the problem has been tackled? When the right hon. Gentleman refers to "all important areas," does he include that residential area? Although, of course, everybody knows that the problem at Canvey was very much bigger, nevertheless, there are people living at Burnham-on-Crouch.

Sir T. Dugdale

My answer refers to the whole coastline.

Mr. Awbery

As a large number of areas have weak coastal defences and are subject to coast erosion, will the Minister make a survey of the whole coast with a view to getting something done, not only at one spot, but in all areas?

Sir T. Dugdale

The answer indicates that we are getting on very well. We are now at 9th July. We have another few weeks before the end of September, and we anticipate that by that date we shall have the position that I have indicated.