§ Mr. LoveTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what evaluation has been made of the ability of the Environment Agency to undertake its statutory duties relating to flooding; and if she will make a statement. [25747]
§ Mr. MorleyThe Environment Agency has permissive powers to undertake flood defence works on main rivers and against flooding from the sea. The agency also has a statutory duty to exercise a general supervision over all matters relating to flood defence.
The agency is able to carry out these functions satisfactorily.
§ Miss McIntoshTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what in the allocation of revenue support grant for 2002–03 reflects the cost of the floods in autumn 2000 for(a) North Yorkshire county council, (b) Humbleton district council, (c) Harrogate borough council, (d) Ryedale borough council and (e) City of York council. [25279]
§ Mr. MorleyI refer the hon. Member to the answer given to her on 17 December 2001,Official Report, column 137W.