30. Mr. J. Wellsasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if, in view of the recent flooding on the Medway, he will make a statement on the measures of relief that Her Majesty's Government intend to take.
§ Sir K. JosephThe flooding on the Medway has not been serious enough to warrant special measures of relief from the Government. If the local authorities should require advice from my Department, my officers will do their best to help.
Mr. WellsIs my right hon. Friend aware that flooding recurs in the same parts of the Medway Valley with too great regularity? Will he, therefore, reconsider giving relief to those areas which are regularly flooded pending some new works by the appropriate authority, and can he assist the authorities in those works?
§ Sir K. JosephWorks to prevent flooding are for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. As regards relief, I must remind my hon. Friend, as was announced in 1961, that insurance is now generally available for damage from flooding.