§ 83. Sir W. Wakefieldasked the Minister of Agriculture what steps are being taken to co-ordinate the activities of the various river boards and other authorities whose 32W duty it will be to improve sea defences, in order to avoid any repetition of the recent flooding; to what extent the advice will be sought of engineers and scientists experienced in these problems; to what extent the aid of Government research organisations will be invoked; and whether he will ensure that, in arranging for preliminary work to be started, the plans can be altered, if necessary, in the light of such advice as may be tendered by the Waverley Committee.
§ Sir T. DugdaleThe immediate task is, so far as possible, to restore the East Coast Sea Defences to their pre-flood standards by next autumn. River boards are carrying out this work in direct consultation with my Department, which is responsible for approving schemes and for general co-ordination. Appropriate engineering and other technical advice including that of Government research stations is being obtained. Full regard will be paid to any relevant recommendations of the Waverley Committee, but urgent work now being planned or in progress must not be delayed.