§ 78. Mr. Braineasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give an estimate as to the date by which the river authorities and the Greater London Council are expected to reach agreement on the details of the proposed Thames Barrier, and in particular the levels to which the river defences of the downstream authorities, especially Canvey Island, will have to be raised.
§ Mr. Anthony StodartI cannot say precisely when the G.L.C. and the Essex and Kent River Authorities will finalise all the technical, legal and financial questions which are at present under discussion. In the meantime the design of the Barrier is under way, and we have assisted with the provision of information about the effects on tide levels at places downstream of closing it. The River Authorities are considering, in the light of this information and other factors, the standards to which the downstream defences, including those of Canvey Island, should be improved.