HC Deb 20 July 2001 vol 372 cc629-31W
Miss McIntosh

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what funding she will make available for a flood elevation scheme in Rawcliffe, York. [4435]

Mr. Morley

Emergency works by the Environment Agency have reduced the risk of defences being outflanked at Rawcliffe. An application from the Environment Agency for grant on a flood alleviation scheme at Rawcliffe will be considered against the normal technical, economic and environmental criteria and priority score arrangements. The current rate of grant for such schemes is 65 per cent., but the Environment Agency grant rates are reviewed on an annual basis.

Miss McIntosh

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations she has received requesting a comprehensive review of the flood management system in the Vale of York, with particular reference to a flood elevation scheme at Rawcliffe, as part of flood defences. [4436]

Mr. Morley

Following the severe flooding in late 2000, the Department has been made aware of the concerns of a number of communities in the Vale of York through both correspondence and the Adjournment debate which the hon. Member secured on 7 November 2000. I also met her and representatives of Rawcliffe on 30 April 2001. Operational responsibility for flood management systems rests with the local operating authorities (the Environment Agency, local authorities and Internal Drainage Boards). Inter alia, the agency has reassessed its flood warning arrangements and is undertaking a strategic study for the River Ouse catchment.

Miss McIntosh

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress has been made to repair damage to the flood defences in the Yorkshire and Humber region during the November 2000 floods. [4437]

Mr. Morley

The Department is making contributions towards the exceptional costs incurred by the Environment Agency and Internal Drainage Boards on emergency response and repairs following the flooding in late 2000. I understand that the agency inspected all of its flood defence assets as soon as possible after the flooding and has undertaken major emergency works inter alia at Gowdall, Selby, Barlby, Wressle, Rawcliffe and the Foss Barrier. The agency has also undertaken local repairs elsewhere as part of its maintenance programme.

Miss McIntosh

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what contingency plans she has to prevent flooding in the Vale of York on a scale similar to that experienced in November 2000. [4432]

Mr. Morley

The Government announced increased funding for flood and coastal defence capital works last November as part of their response to the severe flooding. It is now for the operating authorities to consider the need for schemes and develop proposals within an overall strategy for catchment areas. The Government also announced exceptional funding for emergency repairs and response and the authorities are undertaking emergency works; for example the Environment Agency has undertaken works to reduce the risk of defences being outflanked at Rawcliffe.

Miss McIntosh

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what progress has been made in the co-ordination of functions and tasks by the relevant agencies to prevent flooding in the Vale of York; [4433]

(2) what discussions her Department has had with (a) the Environment Agency, (b) Kyle and Upper Ouse Internal Drainage Board, (c) City of York Council, (d) Yorkshire Water and (e) other agencies and on floods management since November 2000. [4434]

Mr. Morley

The Environment Agency's "Lessons Learned" report on the floods has helped to further clarify the roles of the different agencies. In addition to the regular meetings with the organisations responsible for emergency response, I understand the Agency has held several meetings with the City of York council, Rawcliffe parish council, Kyle and Upper Ouse Internal Drainage Board and Yorkshire Water to discuss and plan flood management issues. The Department's Regional Engineer is liaising with the operating authorities with regard to plans for capital flood defence works and associated studies.