§ Mr. Adleyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will now seek a full report, jointly with the New Forest District Council, and the Hampshire County Council, on the problems of cliff and coastal erosion at Barton-on-Sea; and if he will undertake an independent investigation into the cause of the problem, and seek recommendations for further action to alleviate the problems for the affected residents of properties on the clifftop.
§ Mr. Denis HowellThe problems of cliff and coastal erosion at Barton-on-Sea were considered at a meeting on 18th July at which representatives of this Department, Hydraulics Research Station, the New Forest District Council and the council's consulting engineers were present. The recommendations put forward by the district council's consulting engineers for protecting the cliffs were examined and endorsed. Action on these recommendations is the responsibility of the New Forest District Council as the coast protection authority.