asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the serious erosion of the Kentish coast, particularly between Herne Bay and Birchington-on-Sea, which if not dealt with in the near future will prevent pedestrian and vehicular traffic on that portion of the coast; and what steps it is proposed to take in the matter?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. In any case I have no power to deal with this matter, which is one primarily for the local interests concerned.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that this is a very serious matter, and that at no distant date much valuable property will be involved, and we shall see a considerable portion of the British Isles submerged beneath the waves of the North Sea?