HC Deb 27 February 1962 vol 654 cc1103-4
4. Mr. Jennings

asked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science what conclusions the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research came to, and what advice was given by them, as a result of the experiments carried out at Wallingford on the large-scale model of the Burton-on-Trent reaches of the River Trent, and if he will send to the hon. Member for Burton a copy of the report made on this experiment.

Mr. Denzil Freeth

I shall be happy to send a copy of this report to my hon. Friend. The conclusions reached are not capable of brief summary, since several alternative improvement schemes were considered.

Mr. Jennings

In congratulating the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research and the Trent River Board on undertaking and carrying out this experiment, may I ask my hon. Friend if he can tell me whether there is any valid reason at all why the citizens of Burton should not be told what is contained in this report?

Mr. Freeth

This report was made by the Hydraulics Research Station for the Trent River Board and was submitted to it. However, I am sending a copy to my hon. Friend, and he can make such use of it as he thinks fit.

Mr. Jennings

I am much obliged.

Mr. Mitchison

What was the object of the experiment?

Mr. Freeth

The investigation was carried out in order to discover the probable effect on the River Trent, and flood levels in and near Burton, of removing Drakelow Weir and of realigning the river channel there and of certain additional channel improvement schemes in Burton.