§ 27. Mr. Bruce-Gardyneasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what further information he has now obtained regarding the cost to public funds of the proposed Thames flood barrier.
§ Mr. Denis HowellAs the hon. Member is aware the Greater London Council is conducting an investigation in depth into all the circumstances surrounding the Thames flood barrier problem. Five scientific and research bodies have been assisting the investigation. Of these the most crucial work is by the Hydraulic Research Station and it is expected that by July this work will have reached a stage to enable a choice to be made of the type of structure and the site. This will also enable a closer estimate of the cost to public funds to be made.
§ Mr. Bruce-GardyneBut does not the hon. Gentleman agree that when the time for choices comes the ultimate cost of an operation of that kind should be better met by the beneficiaries, just as the ultimate cost of, say, the Forth or Tay road bridges is met by the beneficiaries and not carried by the generality of taxpayers?
§ Mr. HowellIt would be very unwise to agree to any such proposition until we have had the result of the detailed research.