§ Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment to what extent local authorities that are allocated money for flood prevention by his Department are able to vire the money to other purposes.
§ Mr. CurryMy Department does not allocate money to local authorities specifically for flood prevention. However the standard spending assessment methodology used to distribute revenue support grant includes an element for flood defence which is based on the previous years expenditure. Since RSG in unhypothecated, where this element exceeds the amount levied by the National Rivers 237W Authority for flood defence in any year, authorities themselves decide how best to use any additional resources in the light of local needs and priorities. This principle applies equally to all services included in the SSA system.