§ Sir Michael SpicerTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on responsibility for flood preventative measures. [138947]
§ Mr. MorleyMAFF has policy responsibility for flood and coastal defence in England. Operational responsibility falls to the "operating authorities", the Environment Agency, internal drainage boards and local authorities.
The Environment Agency has a statutory supervisory duty over all matters relating to flood defence and has permissive powers to undertake sea defence works and works on designated main rivers. Internal drainage boards have permissive powers and undertake works on ordinary watercourses within their districts while local authorities have similar powers on ordinary watercourses outside those districts. Where defences are privately owned, responsibility rests with the riparian owner. Finally, maritime local authorities have coast protection powers and may also undertake sea defence works.
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§ Mr. David HeathTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proposals he has to reform the system of financing flood prevention. [138972]
§ Mr. MorleyThe Government are currently carrying out a review of the funding arrangements for flood and coastal defence, focusing in particular on the mechanisms and the balance of costs and benefits achieved. This review should be completed by September 2001.