§ Mr Liddell-GraingerTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the level of capital funding from central government for the Parrett sluice is in 2003–04; and what role the Parrett catchment project has in the Parrett sluice. [136354]
§ Mr. MorleyDefra provides funding to operating authorities for capital flood defence schemes and related studies that meet set criteria and achieve an appropriate priority score. No applications have been received for capital works on the Parrett Sluice, but I understand the Environment Agency will be seeking grant on related studies in 2003–04.
8WDefra has provided funding to the Environment Agency for both the preparation of a Catchment Flood Management Plan for the River Parrett and strategic studies for the Lower Parrett and Tone. I understand that the Agency are consulting on the outcome of those studies, and that the Parrett Sluice is one of the options being considered. However the flood management strategy for the Lower Parrett and Tone has yet to be submitted formally to Defra for consideration, and it would therefore be inappropriate for me to comment on the options at this stage.
The Parrett Catchment Project is a partnership of all stakeholders with an interest on Flood Risk Management in the area, and will therefore be key to forming proposals which will be prepared by the Environment Agency.