§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has carried out of the risk to London from rising sea levels.
§ Mr. CurrySea level rise was one of the factors taken into account in the design of the Thames barrier and associated tidal defences which protect London from flooding. Current best estimates of global sea level rise by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change fall within the range of possibilities considered in the barrier design. This Department sponsors research to monitor sea level trends and is also closely monitoring scientific evidence emerging from other sources.