§ Mr. Saltasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether in view of the desirability of settling before it is too late in connection with other reconstruction plans, the controversy with regard to the desirability 1576W and practicability of constructing a Thames Barrage, he will arrange with the various Ministers concerned to institute a full and public inquiry into this subject at the earliest opportunity.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerIn 1943 my Noble Friend received a deputation who urged upon him the advantages of building a dam across the Thames at Woolwich. My hon. Friend will realise that there is a considerable divergence of opinion about the merits of this proposal, and that many important interests are involved. For these reasons, and because of the technical complexity of the scheme, a prolonged and detailed inquiry would be required before any decision to build a barrage could be made. I regret that I cannot encourage my hon. Friend to hope that this inquiry will be begun during the period of the war.