asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what response he has received from water authorities to his invitation for plans to be submitted for the improvement of sea defences following the floods of January 1978; and if he is satisfied that plans are proceeding with sufficient urgency to ensure that necessary remedial and improvement works are carried out before next winter at those points where inundation took place.
I understand that much of the remedial work necessitated by the floods of January 1978 has been carried out already and that water authorities are making every effort to ensure that the remainder is completed before the end of the year. The improvement of defences is a longer term problem. Whilst some major improvement schemes are now well under way, others involving extensive local consultations, detailed design or major construction works will take a considerable time to complete. We are satisfied that these schemes are being tackled as quickly as is practicable. Water authorities concerned have put for- ward plans to spend substantial additional sums on improvements to sea defences this year. We have authorised the necessary capital investment.