§ Mr. LlwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what evaluation his Department has undertaken of the role of the National Rivers Authority in relation to serious flooding in Wales; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Gwilym JonesThe Welsh Office maintains close contact with the National Rivers Authority over its handling of flooding defence and I am pleased to report that there has been no serious flooding of developed areas in Wales so far this winter, despite the unusually wet weather.
§ Mr. LlwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make it his policy to earmark or ring-fence a sum to each district and borough council in Wales to enable it to discharge its obligations effectively under its permissive drainage powers; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Gwilym JonesThe Welsh Office funds local authorities through the annual local government revenue and capital settlements. It is for individual authorities to decide how to apportion those moneys between and within their various functions in accordance with their statutory obligations and their own priorities. However, the Welsh Office does make grant aid available under the Land Drainage Act 1991 specifically to assist district councils to undertake capital works under their permissive drainage powers.