§ Mr. Crouchasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will seek powers to remove from local authorities the financial responsibility for coast protection and sea defences work.
§ Mr. Graham PageThe present statutory arrangement under which coastal local authorities undertake coast protection works, with financial assistance from the Exchequer, is operated in a way which strikes a reasonable balance between local and national interests in protecting valuable land and property from the effects of coast erosion.
My right hon. and learned Friend sees no reason to introduce any changes in this arrangement which ensures that no local authority has to bear an unreasonable burden for essential coast protection work.