§ Fiona MactaggartTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he will undertake studies of the causes of floods since October 2000 in Colnbrook, Slough. [156238]
§ Mr. MorleyResponsibility for such studies rests with local flood defence operating authorities, such as the Environment Agency and local councils, and other bodies, such as water companies. I understand from the Environment Agency that the flooding experienced at Colnbrook was due to a combination of factors, with prolonged and exceptional rainfall exceeding the capacity of local watercourses and surface water drains, and giving rise to high groundwater levels. For its part, the Agency is investigating the feasibility of flood alleviation measures for County Ditch.