HC Deb 24 June 1969 vol 785 cc1199-200
5. Mr. Marten

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what further steps his Department is taking to alleviate the problems of flooding.

Mr. Greenwood

In consultation with my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for the Home Department and the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, I shall shortly issue a new circular giving advice to local authorities about the various problems that they are likely to have to deal with when there are floods, the kind of help that they can give to the public and the kind of help Government Departments can give.

Mr. Marten

Is the Minister satisfied that when local planning authorities approve planning applications they bring into balance the question of the enormous amount of building with concrete and the fact that this increases the dangers of flooding? Will the right hon. Gentleman bring out this point in the memorandum which he is to send round?

Mr. Greenwood

I am obliged to the hon. Gentleman. The circular will include advice to local authorities on this point. I am considering whether additional advice is necessary in consultation with local authorities, drainage boards and river authorities.

Mr. Leadbitter

While I am grateful to my hon. Friend for issuing this circular, which is most necessary, will he bear in mind that many local authorities are not very helpful in providing flood relief funds and assistance when damage is suffered and that, although local authorities have insured, insurance companies will not pay on claims made to them for flooding because local authorities will not accept liability?

Mr. Greenwood

I shall be glad to look into evidence which my hon. Friend can give in support of the last point he made. Certainly my experience is that local authorities in general are exceedingly sympathetic and helpful when there are flooding disasters, but if my hon. Friend has evidence to the contrary I shall gladly look into it.