§ Mr. Evelyn Kingasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what percentage grant is receivable by the Wessex water authority in respect of sea defences likely to be undertaken by it at Portland.
§ Mr. StrangCurrently 50 per cent.
§ Mr. Evelyn Kingasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has of the likely addition which would be made to the water rates payable in Portland and Weymouth in respect of each £ million of expenditure by the Wessex water authority on sea defences at Portland.
§ Mr. StrangWater authority expenditure on sea defence is financed by precepts levied on county councils. Given the current grant rate, and assuming that any balance is funded from revenue, the Wessex water authority would need to levy a precept equivalent to a rate of just under 0.4p in the £ in the county of Dorset and those parts of adjoining countries comprising the Avon and Dorset local land drainage district for each £1 million spent on sea defences at Portland.