4. Commander Maitlandasked the Minister of Agriculture by what amount the recorded height of the tide on 13th January, 1955 in the vicinity of Chapel St. Leonard's, Lincolnshire, exceeded the expected height; to what cause he attributes the heavy wave action on this occasion; and what action is being taken to investigate the cause of these phenomena which are becoming increasingly common on the Lincolnshire coast.
Mr. AmoryI understand that the morning tide along the Lincolnshire coast on 13th January last was about 3½ft. higher than expected. The wave action probably resulted from strong north winds in the North Sea on previous days. An expert Advisory Committee to coordinate research on oceanographic and meteorological matters in relation to sea defence was set up recently.
Commander MaitlandDoes the right hon. Gentleman realise that the "yellow" warning was not given on that occasion? Does he also realise that, although during the last 100 years the average of phenomenal tides has been once in five years, in the last two years on the Lincolnshire coast there have been 22 occasions of phenomenal tide?
Mr. AmoryI am informed that the tide on 13th January was not a phenomenal tide but in fact was 2½ feet below the danger level. That was why the "yellow" warning was not sent out. As to what my hon. and gallant Friend said about the behaviour of tides on the East Coast, that is the kind of matter which no doubt the Advisory Committee will be looking into very carefully.