§ Mr. Robert HicksTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the criteria governing approval of applications by local authorities of coastal protection schemes, and the scales of financial grant available; what changes have been made since 1983 in these criteria and whether further changes are envisaged; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. CurryThe criteria for approval of a proposed coastal protection scheme are that the work will be technically appropriate, cost-effective and environmentally sympathetic, and that any objections to the proposed scheme have been either withdrawn or resolved.
Grant is available at up to 70 per cent. of the costs of individual coastal protection schemes; until October 1987 the maximum grant rate was 79 per cent. Criteria for approval are unchanged since 1983.
No further changes are envisaged other than minor adjustments arising as a consequence of the new local government finance arrangements.