§ 27. Mr. McKelveyTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to announce the successful bids for challenge funding to aid flood prevention projects. [17341]
§ Mr. KynochMy right hon. Friend has today announced details of successful central challenge fund bids, including those dealing with flood prevention. East Ayrshire council will receive £1.9 million for early action works to alleviate flooding risk in the Kilmarnock area and Perth and Kinross council will receive a total of £18.3 million over the next five years, subject to the Perth flood prevention scheme being confirmed.
§ 28. Mr. Bill WalkerTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proposals he has for introducing a flood management scheme for the whole of the River Tay catchment area. [17342]
§ Mr. KynochMy right hon. Friend has no such proposals. Local councils have powers under the Flood Prevention (Scotland) Act 1961 to prevent or mitigate flooding of non-agricultural land in their areas. The Flood Prevention and Land Drainage (Scotland) Bill currently646W going through Parliament will, if enacted, ensure that local authorities address their responsibilities for flood prevention.