§ Mr. David PorterTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what local authority representations he has had in the last two years about the way his Department funds and administers sea defence, coast protection and river flooding schemes; what changes he has made to his policy in the past two years; and if he will now reconsider his current policy.
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§ Mr. CurryDuring the past two years, we have received 40 representations from local authorities about the funding and administration of sea defence, coast protection and river flooding schemes. These were primarily about the availability of capital allocation or supplementary credit approvals for schemes; changes to the method of calculating the grant rate for coast protection work which was made necessary because of the changes to the system of financing of local authorities; general questions about the approval and progress of schemes; and about the level and availability of grant. There have been no changes in the policy over the last two years with regard to either the funding or administration of such schemes and we have no plans to make changes in the foreseeable future. We have continued to increase the grant available for flood and coastal defence work, and over the period from 1989–90 to 1993–94 provision will have increased by nearly 80 per cent. from £35.9 million to £63.4 million.
§ Mr. David PorterTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will now bring forward proposals to enable one authority to be responsible for sea defence and coast protection and river flooding prevention to replace the existing multi-authority system; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. CurryThe present arrangements, which take full advantage of local knowledge, are well understood by the authorities concerned. The arrangements have worked well over time and I see no reason to change them.