§ 6 pm
§ Mr. John Greenway (Ryedale) (Con)I wish to seek leave to present a petition on behalf of the residents of Pickering in north Yorkshire. It was organised by the YorkshireEvening Press and local flood campaigners following the decision by the Yorkshire regional flood defence committee not to pursue a flood defence scheme in Pickering for the present time, which it is felt is likely to mean that no flood defences will be built. The petition states:
To the House of CommonsThe Petition of the Residents of Pickering, North YorkshireDeclares that the town of Pickering experienced severe flooding on no less than three occasions in recent years, in March 1999, October 2000, and August 2002 with a devastating impact on residents, businesses and tourism; that following the October 2000 flood the Department of Environment. Food and Rural Affairs agreed with the Environment Agency and the Yorkshire Regional Flood Defence Committee that a flood alleviation scheme for Pickering should be given priority; notes with concern and disappointment that such a scheme has not been developed and that the priority status of Pickering will expire on 31st March;The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Secretary of State for the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to agree to extend the priority status of a Pickering flood alleviation scheme for a further two years and to request that the Regional Environment Agency for Yorkshire and the Humber and the Yorkshire Flood Defence Committee draw up revised plans for a flood alleviation scheme for Pickering without delay.And the petitioners remain.
§ To lie upon the Table.