HC Deb 07 March 1994 vol 239 cc64-5W
Mr. Morley

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many of the current chairmen of the regional flood defence committees of the National Rivers Authority are farmers and landowners.

Mr. Jack

All nine current chairmen of the regional flood defence committees in England have farming or landowning interests.

Mr. Morley

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when she will select the chairmen for appointment to the regional flood defence committees of the National Rivers Authority who will serve from July.

Mr. Jack

It is expected that chairmen-designate of the nine regional flood defence committees in England will be appointed within the next two months.

Mr. Morley

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what criteria she will use to select the chairmen for appointment to the regional flood defence committees of the National Rivers Authority who will serve from July.

Mr. Jack

Under section 10 of the Water Resources Act 1991 those responsible for appointing the chairman or a member of a regional flood defence committee are required to have regard to the desirability of appointing a person who has experience of, and has shown capacity in, some matter relevant to the functions of the committee. These criteria will be used in selecting the chairmen of the nine committees in England.

Mr. Morley

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how the appointments she makes to regional flood defence committees of the National Rivers Authority reflect the priorities set out in the flood and coastal defence strategy.

Mr. Jack

All members of the NRA's regional flood defence committees in England are expected to take account of the priorities set out in the MAFF-Welsh Office flood and coastal defence strategy in their work on the committees.