Mr. Wm. Rossasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will give details of the flood damage which occurs, and the areas involved, when the level of Lough Neagh is 51 feet, 52 feet, 53 feet and 54 feet respectively.
§ Mr. Dunn,pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 31st January 1978, Vol. 943], gave the following information:
244WBy the provisions of the Lough Neagh (Levels) Scheme 1955, which came into operation on 28th November 1958, the control of the Lough levels was fixed between 50.5 feet above ordnance datum and 50 feet above ordnance datum in so far as conditions of rainfall, wind and other natural causes permitted. On only very rare occasions has the level gone above 52 feet and then for only short periods. While the level of 51 feet is exceeded from time to time in extremely heavy rainfall, the degree of flooding resulting is minimal in extent, and I am not aware of any damage arising from flooding.
Mr. Wm. Rossasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will detail the areas of agricultural land around Lough Neagh which are now regarded as being capable of cultivation and were not so regarded before the present level of the Lough was fixed, giving if possible the percentage of this area which is covered in peat or by peaty soils.
§ Mr. Dunn,pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 31st January 1978, Vol. 943], gave the following information:
The 1959 lowering of Lough Neagh—from 51.50 feet above ordnance datum to the 50.50 feet—50.00 feet control range—resulted in extensive improvement to an assessed area of some 11,300 hectares of land adjacent to the lough and the lower sections of its inflowing rivers. I regret that it is not possible to give a specific breakdown of areas of land which have benefited from the lowering of the level of the lough.