Flood Defences (Hansard, 5 April 2001)

§ 23. Sir Michael Spicer
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on flood defences. [155701]

§ Mr. Morley
MAFF has policy responsibility for flood and coastal defence in England. Operational responsibility falls to the "operating authorities", the Environment Agency, internal drainage boards and local authorities.
The Government's policy aim is to reduce the risks to people and the developed and natural environment from flooding and coastal erosion by encouraging the provision of technically, environmentally and economically sound and sustainable defence measures. Our three objectives for delivering this aim are:

to encourage the provision of adequate and cost-effective flood warning systems;

to encourage the provision of adequate, technically, environmentally and economically sound and sustainable flood and coastal defence measures; and

to discourage inappropriate development in areas at risk from flooding or coastal erosion.

Delivery of the aim and objectives is facilitated by inter alia a series of high level targets for the flood and coastal defence operating authorities which took effect in April 2000.

§ 25. Mr. Mackinlay
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on plans to prevent flooding in and around the Thames and Medway estuaries. [155703]

§ Mr. Morley
Responsibility for deciding which flood defence works to promote and their timing rests with operating authorities such as the Environment Agency. I understand that the agency has embarked on a programme of studies with a view to formulating a strategy for flood risk management in the whole Thames estuary, with more specific studies planned for elements such as the Medway estuary.

§ Mr. Hilary Benn
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to improve flood defences in Leeds city centre. [156806]

§ Mr. Morley
The Ministry has policy responsibility for flood defence in England and administers grant aid for capital defence works. However it is for local operating authorities, normally the Environment Agency or the local council, to determine which projects to promote and their timing. I understand that the agency has commissioned a number of strategic studies for the River Aire with a view to considering options for flood alleviation measures in Leeds and other towns on the river.