§ 16. Ms KeebleTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to improve flood defences and warnings. [63000]
§ Mr. Nick BrownLocal operating authorities, including the Environment Agency, are responsible for flood defence. The Agency is responsible for flood warning systems and has published an Action Plan for implementing the recommendations of the independent review of last Easter's flooding.
§ 28. Mr. HarveyTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what additional money he will make available for the protection of farm land against flood in North Devon. [63013]
§ Mr. MorleyIt is the responsibility of local operating authorities (primarily the Environment Agency (EA) and local authorities) to identify the need for flood defence measures and to decide which projects should be promoted. Therefore the Government cannot direct authorities to protect farm land. However the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions has notified local authorities that the flood defence element of their Standard Spending Assessments for 1999–2000 will be 6.3 per cent. higher than actual expenditure (on EA levies, Internal Drainage Board special levies and own revenue expenditure) in 1998–99. This Department will shortly announce funding for the Environment Agency's core capital programme for 1999–2000 in the South West; in addition the South West will benefit from further funding for flood warning improvements being provided to the Agency on a national basis.