HC Deb 24 February 1959 vol 600 cc932-3
26. Mr. Dodds

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what progress has been made in the proposal to construct a movable flood barrier designed to prevent flooding in the Thames Valley and a repetition of the disastrous floods of 1953.

32. Mr. Braine

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether he now has any statement to make regarding the proposal for a Thames barrage scheme made by the Waverley Committee after the 1953 flood disaster.

44. Sir F. Medlicott

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what progress is being made in the study of the proposal for a Thames barrage scheme as recommended by the Waverley Committee.

The Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs (Mr. Henry Brooke)

Following consideration of the recommendations made by the Waverley Committee on Coastal Flooding, two firms of consulting engineers were appointed to prepare a report on the practicability, design and estimated cost of constructing a movable flood barrier at a suitable point on the River Thames. These two firms have reported to me, and I am arranging to publish as soon as possible a summary of their views and conclusions. In the meantime I am considering their findings, in consultation with several of my right hon. Friends who are also concerned. Difficult and complicated questions are at issue here, but I am keenly aware of the importance of the matter and the need to reach some decision, and I will make a further statement as soon as I can.

Mr. Dodds

I thank the right hon. Gentleman for that statement. As there is so much interest in this matter, will he say whether he is pleased with what has been put before him? Does he think that it contains any hope for the future?

Mr. Brooke

I have received these two important reports from the firms of consulting engineers. I think that my right course now is to put them into a convenient form which would be not quite so lengthy and technical as are the original reports, so that the public and all interested bodies may be able to judge them.

Mr. Braine

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the Waverley Committee recommended in May, 1954, that the feasibility of the scheme should be examined at an early date? Can he speed up any publication, because a great deal of water has passed under London Bridge since then and fears of these dangers still exist in the Thames area?

Mr. Brooke

I hope that my Answer will give general satisfaction. I have received these reports and I am proposing to publish summaries of them as soon as I can.