§ Mr. Cartwrightasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has received any recent information suggesting that the Thames flood barrier may not be operational by December 1982; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WigginDespite certain technical difficulties encountered during the first phase of the gate installation programme, the Thames barrier is still on course to become operational by December 1982. Negotiations are currently taking place between the Greater London Council and the contractor responsible for fixing the gates, the Davy Cleveland Barrier Consortium, with a view to ensuring that sufficient resources are available to enable it to meet the target date.
§ Mr. Cartwrightasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimated increase in the cost of the Thames flood barrier and the associated river defence works has taken place since the June estimate.
§ Mr. WigginThe September 1980 estimates of cost were:
(a) Thames Barrier £420.5 million (b) Other Thames tidal defence works £273.6 million These figures represent increases of £11 million and £5.8 million respectively as compared with the estimates for June 1980.