§ Baroness Crawleyasked Her Majesty's Government:
What progress the Environment Agency has made in implementing its action plan in response to the independent report on the Easter 1998 floods. [HL1862]
§ Lord DonoughueThe Chairman of the Environment Agency has provided a report of progress to date, copies of which are being placed in the House Libraries.
In line with the priorities we set out last October, the agency has completed the checking of flood warning dissemination plans for errors and omissions. It has also been elaborating, in conjunction with other operating authorities and the Ministry, its current general supervisory responsibilities for flood defence matters.
In addition, the agency has reported substantial progress with work scheduled for completion later in the year, including the development of a flood warning strategy and review of telemetry requirements. With financial support from the Ministry, the agency has taken forward work on flood plain mapping, public awareness of flood warning arrangements and auditing the content of its current flood warning dissemination plans. The latter work is intended to lead to development of more standardised and effective plans.
We are pleased to be able to report such positive progress and will ensure that the House is updated on future developments.