§ Mr. MorleyTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what cost-benefit assessment of the proposal to replace the pumps at Northmoor pumping station has been carried out; what options were assessed and what was the benefit-cost ratio of each of the options.
§ Mr. Jack[holding answer 26 July 1993]: The National Rivers Authority Wessex region carried out a cost-benefit assessment of its proposals to replace the pumps at Northmoor pumping station in accordance with prevailing Ministry guidelines. The three main options considered by the NRA were: installation of single speed pumps in the existing station; construction of a new station; and installation of new variable speed pumps in the existing station. The implications of taking no action were also considered. The quantifiable benefit: cost ratios of the three options were as follows:
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ratios Single speed pumps in existing station 1.5:1 New station 1.2:1 Variable speed pumps in existing station 1.3:1 The last-mentioned option was the one put forward by the NRA as this gave the added gain of environmental benefits, by eliminating extreme fluctuations in controlled water levels.