HC Deb 27 October 1960 vol 627 cc303-4W
Mr. Dodds

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what major operations have taken place or are contemplated in order to avoid a repetition of the floods of 1953.

Mr. Godber

Immediately after the East Coast surge of 1953 the river boards concerned undertook restoration and improvement works costing £27½ million. Since then further tidal defence improvement schemes submitted by these boards and estimated to cost over £5 million, have been approved by the Ministry for grant at 85 per cent.

In the same period schemes of coast protection estimated to cost about £10 million have been approved by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs for grant of about £6½ million.

A flood warning system as recommended in the Interim Report (July, 1953) of the Waverley Committee has been in operation each winter since the Report.