§ Mr. Peter AinsworthTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans there are to raise the Thames barrier as part of the millennium celebrations. [73257]
§ Janet Anderson[holding answer 25 February 1999]: No formal proposals have been put forward by the New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) to use the Thames Barrier to control the river's tide this New Year's eve.
The Thames Barrier and Flood Prevention Act 1972 defines the limited circumstances in which the Thames Barrier may be closed. Any proposals to raise the barrier would need to be studied closely by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF) against this legislation.