§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the annual cost of sea defences in the United Kingdom from 1979 to the present year.
§ Mr. RyderAnnual capital costs of sea defence works from 1979 to the present year in England, Wales and Northern Ireland which attracted Government funding are as follows:
£ million England (estimated) Northern Ireland Wales 1979–80 18.3 n/a 0.427 1980–81 15.8 n/a 0.274 1981–82 16.7 0.078 0.225 1982–83 18.4 0.128 0.289 1983–84 23.0 0.214 0.757 1984–85 20.0 0.311 0.798 1985–86 17.9 0.304 0.121 1986–87 23.6 0.149 0.175 1987–88 27.6 0.122 0.058 Coastal works in Scotland are carried out primarily to prevent erosion rather than to defend land against flooding from the sea, and, hence, expenditure has not been included.
§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the current level of expenditure required to bring United Kingdom sea defences up to present day satisfactory levels.
§ Mr. RyderAs a result of a comprehensive review of flood defence requiremens in England which was carried out recently, the need for an increased long-term programme of work was identified. The Government recently agreed to increase provision for the programme and this will facilitate additional capital funding of about £50 million over the next three years for local and water authority schemes both inland and on the coast; approximately half of this expenditure will be spent on sea defence works.
From 1989 to 1992 it is estimated that capital funding for sea defence works in Wales and Northern Ireland will be £335,000 and £331,000 respectively. In Scotland work is necessary primarily for inland fluvial and coastal erosion works; no significant sea defence works are anticipated.