§ 12. Commander Purseyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will state the number of deficient wharves on the River Hull below the 1925 Hull Corporation Act 9 height where no permanent flood prevention work has been done and temporary sandbagging has been carried out at the ratepayers' expense; what are the names of riparian owners of these wharves; and what steps will be taken to recover the expense from the owners.
Mr. VanePermanent work has not yet been started on one wharf belonging to the British Transport Commission, but the Commission are doing some temporary works before the April spring tides. The question of recovering the expense of temporary sandbagging is a matter for the Hull Corporation and I understand that it is being considered by them.
§ Commander PurseyWhat was the work required to be done and why did it take twelve months from the March, 1961, flooding to carry out flood prevention work by British Railways, who have within their power labour and material and resources to do this work at short notice? Why should it take twelve calendar months?
Mr. VaneThat is a question which should be addressed to the British Transport Commission. The important thing is that during these twelve months, approximately, we have seen all the wharves in Hull, with the exception of one, raised to the level stated in the 1925 Act.
§ 13. Commander Purseyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has for expediting flood prevention work at the Barmston drain outlet into the River Hull; what is the estimated cost; and what will be the dates of commencement and completion.
Mr. VaneA scheme for reconstructing this outfall, which is the responsibility of the Hull and East Yorkshire River Board, has been approved for grant aid by the Ministry. I am informed by the river board that the sluice gates will be ready for delivery in two months' time. Work can start as soon as a tender has been approved for the civil engineering works. I understand that tenders will shortly be submitted to the Ministry. The estimated time for completion of the work is six months at a total cost of about £36,000.
§ Commander PurseyI thank the Minister for that reply and for his previous reply. Will the problem at this drain outlet of the Yorkshire Electricity Board suction and discharge be dealt with in order to stop erosion under the drain works of adjoining wharves? Will the board work be properly linked to adjoining wharves to ensure a watertight joint and no more seepage flooding out poor people's houses in this area?
Mr. VaneI should be obliged if the hon. and gallant Member would put the first part of his supplementary question on the Order Paper, because I could not answer it straight away. In regard to joining this work to the other work, I should imagine that common-sense would ensure that this would be done so that after all this time and all this work at least people in that area will be safe "come Hull or high water".