§ Mr. David PorterTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what studies he has conducted into the impact on the British coast of a rise in the sea level of over ¼metre; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Gummer[holding answer 4 July 1988]: I have been asked to reply.
As part of a broader consideration of the impact of possible climate changes by the middle of the next century, the effect of a sea-level rise in excess of 0.2 m is being studied. The recent results were reported to the Toronto conference on "The Changing Atmosphere"; a copy of the United Kingdom report will be placed in the Library of the House.
Drainage bodies will have in mind the possibility of a rise in sea level, amongst other factors, when identifying the need for coast protection and sea defence work. When considering proposals for grant aid for such work, an allowance for a rate of rise of 0.3 m per century has been accepted as reasonable (equivalent to 0.2 m by 2050).