§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of sea wall defences along the north Wales, Lincolnshire and Somerset coastlines following the extensive flooding from the storms on 25 to 27 February.
§ Mr. GummerThe state of flood defences, including sea walls, is continually monitored by the responsible authorities, and close liaison is maintained by my river and coastal engineers with authorities, in particular the National Rivers Authority, which undertake most of the works. Increases in grant provision following the public expenditure surveys in 1988 and 1989 resulted from our review, in close consultation with the National Rivers Authority and other responsible authorities, of current and future coastal and flood defence needs.
On the Lincolnshire coastline, where some £9 million has been invested since 1984 in the improvement of the 378W defences between Mablethorpe and Skegness and an accelerated programme of works of the order of £20 million is planned over the next three years, the defences have successfully resisted two recent surge tides.
On the Somerset coastline the defences, which were constructed following the serious floods of 1981 at a cost of some £16 million, have in general resisted the extreme conditions, although there has been some flooding as a result of the unusual combination of high tide, surge, and wind. Among those locations where flooding has been experienced, schemes at Shirehampton and Pill are already programmed.
Authorities responsible for defences are assessing the effects of the storms, and we have asked for an early indication of changes to programmes. Grant at rates up to 70 per cent. (rising to 75 per cent. in 1990–91) from my Department will be available for schemes which satisfy our technical, economic and environmental criteria.
Government responsibility for the north Wales coastline rests with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.