§ 9. Mr. ÖpikTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what changes he has identified in rainfall trends which will require additional flood management planning for Wales. [136870]
687W
§ Mr. Paul MurphyIdentifying such trends, on a UK basis, is part of the research at the Hadley Centre and UK Climate Impacts Programme. My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister recently announced that the Government intend to enhance and speed up the research to improve our prediction and assessment of the effects of climate change. The Government also intend to ask a senior independent engineer to carry out a review of technical approaches to flood alleviation.
§ 13. Miss McIntoshTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on the recent floods. [136874]
§ Mr. Paul MurphyI have regular discussions with my right hon. Friend on a range of issues affecting Wales, which have of course included the recent floods. A meeting of Ministers, chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister, was held on 4 November to discuss the flooding issues. Sue Essex, Assembly Minister for Environment, Transport and Planning and one of my senior officials also attended this meeting.