§ Dr. Kim HowellsTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list any measurements currently being made of average sea levels in Wales; and whether these can be compared with similar measurements made in previous years.
§ Mr. GristA national tide gauge network, capable of accurately measuring mean sea levels, was set up more than 30 years ago and has been continually maintained and updated since then. The network is operated and data is collected by the Proudman oceanographic laboratory of the natural environment research council with funding by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Scottish Development Department.
Four of the 32 gauges are located in Wales, at Holyhead, Fishguard, Milford Haven and Swansea while others at Hilbre Island, Avonmouth and Ilfracombe provide data relevant to Wales. In addition, there are several other tide guages around the coast from which intermediate data can be obtained.
§ Dr. Kim HowellsTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list those coastal regions of Wales believed to be most vulnerable to inundations of sea water in the event of breaches of sea defences.
§ Mr. GristAll coastal regions that lie below the highest sea level in their vicinity are at some risk of being inundated by sea water in the event of breaches of sea defences. The most significant such areas in Wales are parts of the north Wales coast, the Caldicot and Wentlooge levels and lands bordering the major estuaries, for example, Afon Glaslyn, Afon Mawddach, Afon Dyfi and Lougher inlet.