§ Mr. Spearingasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement concerning the condition of electrical control equipment of the Thames barrier and the extent to which it is currently restricted in its operation.
§ Mrs. Fenner[pursuant to her reply, 16 May 1986, c. 596]: This is a matter for the Thames water authority. I understand that some of the electrical relays used in the control equipment at the Thames barrier have proved less reliable than the specification required. All of these relays are being replaced by a modified type that is expected to perform satisfactorily.
Neither the present condition of the relays nor the work of replacement is restricting the operation of the Thames barrier.