§ Mr. Cartwrightasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his most recent estimate of the capital costs of constructing the Thames flood barrier; how this compares with the 452W original estimate; and what are the main reasons for the variation.
§ Mr. StrangThe cost of the Thames flood barrier, at March 1976 prices and excluding the cost of downstream defence works, is expected to be about £158 million. This compares with the estimate of about £88 million made when the designs were completed at the end of 1973. Of the £70 million increase, £60 million is due to wage and price increases over the intervening period. The remaining £10 million is due to modifications and additions to the design.