HC Deb 17 March 1953 vol 512 cc2066-7
54. Mr. Edward Evans

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how much has been expended on coast protection works under schemes submitted under the Coast Protection Act, 1949; how much grant he has provided since January, 1952; and what were the corresponding figures for the period 1948–51.

Mr. Marples

My right hon. Friend has no record of the actual expenditure on coast protection works up to date but by the end of 1952 the total value of schemes approved for grant purposes under the Coast Protection Act, 1949, amounted to £4,417,385. The grants awarded in respect of these schemes were as follows:

£
1949 … … … 693,000
1950 … … … 596,207
1951 … … … 585,150
1952 … … … 593,125

Mr. Evans

Has the hon. Gentleman any evidence that, as a result of delay on the part of the Ministry in informing the authorities what grants the Department is willing to give, there is a reluctance among coast protection authorities to put into operation works which might have been effective in reducing the consequences of the recent floods?

Mr. Marples

I should like notice of the question, but I do not think that is so, because the total cost of schemes for which grants were awarded in 1952 exceeded the figure for 1951.