HC Deb 25 October 1960 vol 627 cc242-3W
60. Mr. Dodds

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs, in view of the present situation in which many families are suffering distress from the flooding of their homes without receiving compensation, what consideration is being given by Her Majesty's Government to taking the necessary action on a national basis to ensure that everything possible is done to guard against floods, and, where the individual loss may be just as great when the circumstances are less dramatic, the victims are helped adequately and swiftly.

Mr. H. Brooke

The effects of flooding vary widely from one area to another, and in the normal case the relief of distress caused by flooding of homes is primarily a local matter. Much is already being done in the areas where flooding has recently taken place.

River boards are spending £6 million a year on schemes the bulk of which are for reducing flood risks in town and country, and as the White Paper on land drainage which was published last December indicated, the Government has under consideration legislation to increase the resources of the river boards and the powers of the local authorities in this matter.