§ Mr. Cartwrightasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received from the Greater London Council about the need for a speedy completion of the Thames Flood Barrier; and what reply he has given.
§ Mr. StrangMy right hon. Friend met Sir Reg Goodwin, the Leader of the Greater London Council, on 13th October to discuss with him the progress being made on the construction of the barrier and to assure him of continued Government support for this important project.
§ Mr. Cartwrightasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his latest estimate of the total cost of constructing (a) the Thames Flood Barrier and (b) the associated river defence works compared with the original estimate; and what proportion of these costs will be met by Exchequer grant.
356Wduction in each region of the United Kingdom in each year since 1970.
§ Mr. BishopFigures showing the acre age planted to potatoes and the tonnage produced in the main regions of the United Kingdom are given below:
§ Mr. StrangThe estimated costs at March 1976 prices compared with the original estimates given in December 1973 are as follows:
(a) Thames Barrier December 1973 £88 million March 1976 £158 million (b) Associated river defence work December 1973 £143 million March 1976 £223 million The current rates of grant payable are 75 per cent. in respect of the work carried out by the Greater London Council and Thames Water Authority—total estimated expenditure £239 million; 80 per cent. for Southern Water Authority—total estimated expenditure £42 million; and 85 per cent. for Anglian Water Authority—total estimated expenditure £100 million.