§ Mr. LoveTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many feasibility studies have been(a) commissioned and (b) completed by the Environment Agency following the flooding of autumn 2000; what (i) flood alleviation measures have resulted and (ii) expenditure has been incurred up to April of this year; and if she will make a statement. [69191]
§ Mr. MorleyThe Environment Agency has developed a database to monitor progress at all the flood locations identified in their Lessons Learned Report on the autumn 2000 floods. The database covers locations for which local authorities are considering flood management options as well as those for which the Agency is taking the lead, and is reviewed every six months. A current review is nearing completion and I understand that the results will be available in early August. I have asked the Agency to provide you with the information requested as soon as it is available. Since the floods of autumn 2000, DEFRA has approved for grant aid a total of 274 new flood and coastal schemes and studies at an estimated cost of £386 million, although of course not all relate to locations flooded that year.
§ Dr. CableTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much was spent on flood defences in England broken down by(a) constituency and (b) Government regional development agency in the past five years; and if she will make a statement. [70606]
§ Mr. MorleyExpenditure on flood defences in England is incurred primarily by the Environment Agency, local authorities and Internal Drainage Boards. The Agency does not keep financial records on the basis of 705W constituency or government regional development agency. The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.