asked the Secretary of State for Defence if h has any plans to update hydrographic surveys of estuaries in the United Kingdom and in particular the Sever estuary; and if he will make a statement.
The requirements for hydrographic surveys around the United Kingdom are discussed each year between my Department and the
Department of Transport, and a programme of surveys is prepared. In 1987 it is planned to carry out coastal an inshore surveys in the following estuarine areas:
- Outer Moray Firth.
- Approaches to Yarmouth and Lowestoft.
- Outer Thames Estuary (in the approaches to Harwich, Felixstowe and the Port of London to seaward of Port of London Authority's limits).
- Solent and Spithead (to seaward of Southampton's port limits).
- Approaches to Plymouth Sound and River Yealm.
- Outer Bristol Channel between Ilfracombe and the Gower Peninsula (the approaches to Porthcawl and Port Talbot and covering the outer approaches t Avonmouth and other South Wales ports).
- Liverpool Bay (between Rhyl, Anglesey and the Isle o Man-the outer approaches to the Ribble, Mersey and Dee).
So far as the Severn estuary in particular is concerned, surveys of the main channel between Avonmouth an Steep Holm, off Weston-super-Mare, are carried out b the Port of Bristol Authority. The estuary between Avonmouth and Sharpness lies within the limits of th Gloucester harbour trustees.