Mr. Irvingasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh affairs what stage the consultations have reached on the provision of a flood barrier across the Thames at Long Reach, near Dartford; and what bodies and local authorities he is consulting.
§ Sir K. JosephCopies of the recent Command Paper on the Technical Possibilities of a Thames Flood Barrier were sent to all the bodies which appeared to my right hon. Friend to have some interest in this matter, in preparation for further consultations. As a next step, he will shortly seek the views of the bodies which seem most directly concerned, including the riparian local authorities and river boards.