§ Mr. ColvinTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the new way in which grant aid for coastal protection will be calculated, and indicate the rate at which such grants will be paid.
§ Mr. CurryIt is our intention that the revised method of calculating grant rates for coast protection schemes will parallel the existing one as far as possible. The rates at which grant may be paid will be the same as those that obtain at present (that is, up to a maximum of 70 per cent.). Details of the new method of calculation will be circulated to the coast protection authorities as quickly as possible.
§ Mr. ColvinTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if, in the light of rising sea levels, he will review the provisions and working of the Coast Protection Act 1949; and if he will make a statement.
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National programme of R and D on coastal defence and protection currently funded by MAFF Research objective (a) Location (b) Amount of MAFF funding in 1989–90 £'000 (c) MAFF funding as percentage of total cost 1. To ensure that the Storm Tide Warning Service Operational Model is properly maintained, performance monitored, shortcomings identified and rectified and developed in line with modern technology NERC's Institute of Oceanographic Services (IOS) at Merseyside or Wormley Laboratory 95 100 2. To develop numerical surge forecasting models for the south and west coasts of Britain for future extension of the Storm Tide Warning Service IOS, Merseyside or Wormley 88 100 3. To develop a single numerical modelling system embracing tides, surges and waves for predicting extreme sea states and for use as a forecasting tool IOS, Merseyside or Wormley 120 100 4. To improve tidal predictions and develop methods for predicting sea state extremes IOS, Merseyside or Wormley 154 100 5. To maintain and improve the quality, reliability and availability of sea level data obtained from the national tide gauge network IOS, Merseyside or Wormley 67 100 6. To assemble, analyse and maintain a bank of well documented and verified observations from the principal tide gauges round Great Britain IOS, Merseyside or Wormley 90 100 7. Studies of wave set-up and comparison with wave models IOS, Merseyside or Wormley 37 100 8. Parameterization of air/sea interaction processes IOS, Merseyside or Wormley 25 100 9. Effects on waves of climatic variations IOS, Merseyside or Wormley 25 100 10. To carry out model tests on structures in order to assist in design and construction of effective and economical coastal defences Hydraulics Research Laboratory (HRL), Wallingford 65 100 11. To develop models to provide engineering tools for predicting waves at or near the coastline Hydraulics Research Laboratory (HRL), Wallingford 65 100 12. Sea wall design Construction Industry Research and Information Association (CIRIA), London 7 100
§ Mr. CurryThe Coast Protection Act 1949 allows maritime district councils to carry out such work as is necessary. The requirement for work will vary from location to location and will depend on local as well as global factors. A rise in mean sea level will have no direct implication for the workings of the Act. Nevertheless, the latest developments on climate change are closely monitored and careful consideration is given to the likely consequences for both coast protection and sea defence.
§ Mr. ColvinTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what research projects on coastal protection and sea defences are being funded by his Ministry; and at what percentage rate.
§ Mr. Currythe Department is spending £1.4 million in 1989–90 on a national programme of research on coastal protection and sea defence and a list of the projects being funded is given in the table. The Department discusses its national research programme with the National Rivers Authority and other relevant bodies.
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Research objective (a) Location (b) Amount of MAFF funding in 1989–90 £'000 (c) MAFF funding as percentage of total cost 13. Assessment and integrated management of coastal cliff systems University of Strathclyde, Glasgow 12 100 14. Further macro review of the coast of England and Wales HRL, Wallingford 4 100 15. Rehabilitation and maintenance of old waterfront walls CIRIA, London 15 30 16. Modelling sediment transport in combined wave current flow University College of North Wales, Bangor 29 100 17. Sediment transport by combined waves and currents (phase II) HRL, Wallingford 83 100 18. Shingle Beach Dynamics 3D aspects HRL, Wallingford 63 100 19. Mathematical model of groynes on shingle beaches HRL, Wallingford 32 100 20. Performance of permable revetments HRL, Wallingford 61 100 21. Design of quarried rock slope protection against wave attack CIRIA, London 15 20 22. Process of sand transport by tidal currents and waves NERC's Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory, Birkenhead 9 100 23. Climatic change—United Kingdom sea level trends NERC's Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory, Birkenhead 40 100 24. A review and collation of beach data within the United Kingdom HRL, Wallingford 7 100 25. Mathematical modelling of wave climate near offshore breakwaters HRL, Wallingford 10 100 26. Development of environmental assessment manual: a pilot study University of East Anglia, Norwich 14 100 29. Agricultural benefits of coast protection and sea defence Middlesex Polytechnic Flood Hazard Research Centre, Enfield 50 100 30. Post project appraisal of urban flood protection Middlesex Polytechnic Flood Hazard Research Centre, Enfield 25 100 Total 1,400