§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether, pursuant to the answer to the390W hon. Member for Brentwood and Ongar (Mr. McCrindle) of 25 October, he will indicate those parliamentary constituencies likely to be wholly or partially under water by the year 2050 assuming a rise in sea level of (a) 0.2 m or (b) 1.65 m over the period.
§ Mr. RyderThe figures quoted represent the extremes of estimates based on presently available models. There are still uncertainites, so it is not realistic to draw firm conclusions now with regard to the degree of risk to particular areas.
The tide gauge network provides a measure of actual changes in mean sea level which informs decisions on current design standards for flood defences. This information, together with the results of other research, will continue to be closely monitored. As firmer predictions become available we shall be better placed to consider the implications for flood defences, and examine further protective measures That can be undertaken.
Our policies take account of all relevant developments and this is reflected in our recent anouncement of an increase of more than £25 million a year in Government funding for an enhanced long-term programme of flood protection.