§ Mr. ToddTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent representations he has received on the powers of the Environment Agency as they relate to the responsibilities of local authorities for flood defence. [148279]
§ Mr. MorleyI am aware of the recommendation in paragraph 12 of the Third Report, Session 2000–01, of the Agriculture Committee. While no such representations have been made, the Environment Agency has made me aware of difficulties whereby over 119 local authorities are either unwilling or unable to inspect flood defences and critical ordinary watercourses.
While flood and coastal defence legislation is permissive, the Government do look to local authorities and others to take flood defence responsibilities seriously, recognising the potential threat to human life and the damage and distress that flooding can cause. I therefore agreed with the Local Government Association that such inspections would take place, and the requirement appears in the High Level Targets for the flood and coastal defence operating authorities. These targets took effect from April 2000 and were published alongside an 303W elaboration of the Environment Agency general flood defence supervisory duty, which sets out the arrangements for inspection in more detail.
I have asked the Agency for details of the local authorities who will not be undertaking inspections, together with details of the significance of the defences and watercourses in their areas. I shall then consider taking the matter up with the Local Government Association.