61. Mr. Gresham Cookeasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government w tat consideration he has given to the consulting engineers' report on the Thames Flood Barrier; whether it will be made available to the public; and when he will make a statement on it.
§ Mr. MacCollMy right hon. Friend has just received this report. It gives details of two possible designs for a retractable barrier which could be built at the upstream end of Long Reach, near Purfleet.
Each design would take six years to build and cost £25,000 per annum to maintain. The estimated cost of construction is £23 million in one case and nearly £39 million in the other.
Copies of the report are being sent to the various public authorities concerned. Brief details are being circulated to the press. My right hon. Friend is placing a copy of the report, including the appendices, in the Library, and one will be available for inspection at the Ministry.
My right hon. Friend and his right hon. Friends who are concerned will study the report and will announce their conclusions in due course.