§ 31. Commander Purseyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the report of the 18 months' survey of the wharves on the River Hull is expected to be received by the Hull and East Yorkshire River Board; and whether the Board will consider holding a special meeting to consider the flooding problem in Hull, so that alleviation measures will be taken to prevent further flooding before the next equinoctial high water spring tide on 23rd September.
Mr. VaneNo date has been given for the presentation of the report of the survey, but action is being taken as each section of the survey is completed. I understand that the river board does not intend to hold any special meetings until the Hull Corporation has served notices on the owners of defective wharves requiring them to raise the level of these wharves to that prescribed in the Corporation's Act of 1925.
§ Commander PurseyIs the Joint Parliamentary Secretary aware that, since the serious flooding in March, the river board has allocated no money and carried out no flood prevention work on the River Hull inside the city boundary? As August is a recess month, is the board to do nothing before the next series of high tides in September and so complete six months of masterly inactivity?
Mr. VaneI know that the river board is very well aware of its responsibilities. It is an autonomous local authority. I am not aware of its day-to-day transactions, but I know that it is very much aware of its responsibility and of the fact that certain prevention works will have to be done before the next danger period.
§ 32. Commander Purseyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will state the number of defective wharves which caused flooding on 20th March, on the east side of the River Hull, between North Bridge and Sammy's Point, the number of notices to be served on riparian owners 1458 to raise their wharves, and the number of flood alleviation schemes to be initiated by the Hull and East Yorkshire River Board in this section of the river.
Mr. VaneFlooding appears to have occurred from seven defective wharves on this stretch of the river and as a result of the recent survey the Hull Corporation is being recommended to serve notices on the wharf owners concerned. The river board has not yet prepared any flood alleviation schemes for this section of the river.
§ Commander PurseyHow many days' grace after the service of notices are to be allowed to owners of defective wharves? If prevention work is not commenced, what further action will be taken by the river board in the next two months to reduce the causes of flooding from the River Hull and so prevent hundreds of my constituents being flooded for the second time this year?
Mr. VaneThe hon. and gallant Gentleman would probably get that detailed information more easily if he approached the river board direct. However, if he tables a Question I shall be very willing to try to obtain the information and give it to him at the next available opportunity.
§ Sir W. WakefieldIs my hon. Friend aware that increased flooding must be expected in Hull and other areas due to the increased amount of water coming into the North Sea from the rapid melting of the North Pole ice cap? What does he intend to do about it?