§ Mr. L. SMITHasked the Minister of Transport whether he has now received the report of the committee of the Economic Advisory Council investigating the question of the Severn River Barrage; if not, when he expects to receive it; and what has been the cost hitherto of carrying out these investigations?
§ Mr. PYBUSThe present stage of this inquiry has now been completed, and I understand that the Severn Barrage Committee of the Economic Advisory Council hope shortly to receive a report thereon from the Expert Sub-Committee under whose supervision these investigations have been carried out. The expenditure incurred since 1925 amounts to about £21,000, exclusive of £27,000 spent on the marine survey of the Severn Estuary by the Hydrographic Department of the Admiralty. As this survey was carried out in substitution for work which would otherwise have been done by that Department, there has been no increased charge to public funds on this account.