§ Mrs. Ray MichieTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to protect coastal and island communities from flooding and damage from severe weather in the coming winter; and if he will make a statement.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonProtection of communities is essentially a matter for local authorities which already have wide powers to act in emergencies such as flooding and damage from severe weather. They also have powers under coast protection and flood prevention legislation to undertake protective work which may attract Government grants.