HC Deb 07 March 2000 vol 345 cc579-80W
Mr. Portillo

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much money has been spent to date by his Department and by bodies funded by his Department

In prioritising funding for flood and coastal defence works one factor which the Government takes into account is whether schemes will protect "urban" or "rural" areas. A scheme will be classified as "urban" only where 50 per cent. or more of the calculated direct benefits relate to industrial, commercial or domestic property, or major infrastructure.