§ Commander Maitlandasked the Minister of Agriculture what proportion of the coastline of England and Wales is protected by catchment boards, drainage boards or other authorities constituted by the Minister of Agriculture; and if he will specify the locality and the length of coastline for which each such authority is responsible and in cases where coast erosion is taking place if he will indicate the rates levied on drainage ratepayers.
§ Mr. T. WilliamsCatchment Boards are responsible for works protecting the outfall of their "main rivers" and this often necessitates the construction or maintenance of works for defence against the sea and in estuaries as well as the maintenance of tidal embankments for the protection of low-lying land flanking the river. Drainage boards outside catchment areas also exercise sea defence powers for the protection of their districts against tidal inundation and to preserve a proper outfall for their main drains. No distinction is drawn between works of this nature on the coastline proper, in estuaries, and up tidal rivers, all of which serve the same purposes. The extent of sea defence, estuarial and tidal river works taken together amounts to approximately 1,750 miles. The length of embankments threatened by direct wave action from the sea would perhaps be between 200 and 300 miles. I am sending the hon. and gallant Member a statement showing such figures as are available.
Catchment Boards meet their expenditure out of precepts but may secure contributions from internal drainage boards. Such boards, and boards outside catchment areas, generally levy rates in respect of all their drainage works and it would not be possible to separate out that part of the rates which is attributable to sea defence works.