§ Mrs. BrintonTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement concerning the responsibilities of statutory authorities to take action to(a) prevent and (b) give earlier warning of the risk of flooding within the area of the City of Peterborough. [52984]
§ Mr. MorleyThe Environment Agency is the lead flood defence operating authority in England and Wales and has powers to undertake flood defences on designated Main Rivers, which include the River Nene. On non-main232W rivers, flood defence powers rest with local authorities or, in areas of special drainage need, with internal drainage boards.
The responsibility for disseminating flood warnings in England and Wales rests with the Environment Agency.