§ 17. Mr. Mawbyasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, what investigations the Hydraulics Research Station of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research has made into the improvement in design of small harbours used by fishermen.
§ Mr. H. NichollsThe Hydraulics Research Station of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research has recently studied the problems affecting three fishing harbours in the United Kingdom; Southwold, Great Yarmouth and Eyemouth. As a result, at Southwold wave action can be reduced and the entrance made safer for ships of greater depth; at Great Yarmouth a redesigned South Pier will reduce turbulence and the immediate danger of undermining from scouring. Also useful information dealing with the bank of sand that builds up at the entrance of Eye-mouth Harbour has been obtained from experiments on a scale model.
§ Mr. MawbyDoes the Hydraulics Research Station undertake to advise on all harbour improvement works?
§ Mr. NichollsYes, it does, up to the limit of its capacity. It undertakes research when the harbour authorities invite it to do so, provided that they are prepared to pay the cost.
§ Mr. WoodburnIn view of the discoveries about the sandbank at Eye-mouth, has the Minister any information about what will be done about it now that we know?
§ Mr. NichollsIt is for the harbour authorities themselves to put into operation the results of the investigations carried out by this research department.