§ Mrs. Anne CampbellTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 29 November,Official Report, column 614, what evidence he has that agricultural practices which leave land without grass or crop cover can lead to an increased rate of run-off.
§ Mr. JackGrass or, indeed, any kind of crop cover has the ability to retain water, thereby leading to a natural decrease in the rate of run-off. The precise effect of crop cover on rates of run-off will however vary according to a number of factors including slope of the land, type of soil, rate of rainfall and agricultural practices.
§ Mrs. Anne CampbellTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food, pursuant to his answer of 29 November,Official Report, column 613, what assessment he has made of the need for extensive surveys and flood modelling to assess if more run-off from the land is occurring and flood damage is becoming more frequent and widespread.
§ Mr. JackChanges in flood response in any particular catchment depend on a combination of factors notably land use, topography and climate. Ministry research carried out by the Institute of Hydrology suggests little evidence of any significant overall trend in the rate of runoff from land over time. In the light of this, the Ministry has no plans for more extensive surveys over and above those being undertaken by the National Rivers Authority to inform local planning authorities of flood risk areas.