asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the estimated additional cost resulting from the Greater London Council's decision to speed up construction of the Thames flood barrier ; and what representations he has received about the safety of the revised construction programme.

The Greater London Council's estimates suggested that a shorter construction programme would not involve a net increase in costs. No representations have been made to my right hon. Friend the Minister about the safety of a revised programme.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the latest estimated construction cost of (a) the Thames flood barrier and (b) the associated flood defences as compared with the original estimates.

The estimated costs at June 1978 prices and the original estimates given in December 1973 are as follows.