Flood Defence Review

HC Deb 15 December 1999 vol 341 c231W

Mr. Green

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he will publish the results of the Flood Defence Review. [101448]

Mr. Morley

I assume this question refers to the action which the Government undertook in response to the 1998 Agriculture Select Committee Report on Flood and Coastal Defence, in particular the review of flood defence funding mechanisms. That review is continuing. A consultation exercise took place earlier this year and the comments received are currently being considered and an announcement on the conclusions will be made in due course.

The Government continue to review progress on implementation of the Environment Agency's Action Plan for implementing the Independent Report on the Easter 1998 Floods, and have published the Agency's quarterly progress reports, most recently on 11 November 1999. Interim High Level Targets for flood and coastal defence operating authorities were published in May. These have been superseded by more comprehensive targets, published on 19 November, which will take effect from 1 April 2000.