§ Mr. Granvilleasked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware of the danger 395W to local dwelling-houses and the loss to food production caused by the seawater flooding of the Walberswick Marshes; and if he will consult the catchment and drainage boards and the local authorities in Order to take effective action to prevent the further deterioration of the position as described to him.
Mr. HudsonI understand that a number of huts and studios on the small area of outmarsh on the south side of Southwold Harbour which is not protected by any river wall and is consequently subject to tidal flooding and scour, have been damaged or destroyed, but that no agricultural land is affected. I do not consider that the diversion of labour and materials to protective work at this point would be justified at the present time, but works for the topping and facing of Walberswick wall, which protects the adjoining marshes, are included in a two-year programme of sea defence work submitted to me by the East Suffolk Rivers Catchment Board and approved for a 75 per cent. Government grant.