HC Deb 08 March 1993 vol 220 cc464-5W
Mr. Morley

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what responsibilities the proposed new Environmental Protection Agency will have in relation to flood and drainage.

Mr. Curry

It is envisaged that the proposed new Environment Agency will assume the responsibilities for flood defence and land drainage that the National Rivers Authority currently has.

Mr. Morley

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what has been the total amount of expenditure on flood defence and drainage in each of the last three financial years to date; and what estimates there are for such expenditure in the 1993–94 budget;

(2) if he will give a breakdown of flood defence and drainage expenditure in the last financial year on a county basis.

Mr. Curry

MAFF expenditure on grant aid in support of capital works on flood defence, including sea defence, and arterial drainage, excluding coast protection works against erosion, is as follows:

£ million
1990–91 25.5
1991–92 36.4
11992–93 41.6
1Estimated.

On the same basis, provision for 1993–94 is £46.2 million.

A breakdown of expenditure on a county basis is not available except at disproportionate cost.