Flooding (Hansard, 18 March 2002)

§ David Wright
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what proposals the Environment Agency has to alleviate flooding in the Ironbridge Gorge. [41428]

§ Mr. Morley
Operational responsibility for flood management measures rests with the local operating authorities, normally the Environment Agency (EA) and local councils, who decide which projects to promote and their timing. I understand that the EA has just completed a pre-feasibility study into 'traditional' flood alleviation options for Ironbridge Gorge but has not identified one that would be economically worthwhile. I understand that the EA is continuing to consider 'innovative' options which may offer some alleviation from the impact of small flooding events.

§ Miss McIntosh
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she plans to publish the report on flood funding arrangements. [33899]

§ Mr. Morley
I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 13 February 2002,Official Report, column 512W.

§ Mr. Sayeed
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what financial assistance is made available by the European Union to assist member states in the provision of coastal and inland flood defences. [43599]

§ Mr. Morley
No significant financial assistance is made available by the European Union to assist member states in the provision of flood and coastal defences.

§ Mr. Cousins
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to secure provision of flood risk cover for residential properties after February 2003. [42959]

§ Mr. Morley
The Government are maintaining close links with the insurance industry to help achieve the mutual aim of ensuring the continued availability of affordable flood cover as widely as possible after the end of the year. Ministers and officials in the Treasury and DEFRA have already held several meetings with the Association of British Insurers and further discussions are planned.
Together with the flood defence operating authorities, we are reducing the risk of flooding and are communicating this to the insurance industry. We are reducing the risk through substantial increases in investment in flood and coastal defences (which now totals over £400 million a year). Flood defences are being repaired, renewed, maintained and improved. Flood warning arrangements are continually being improved. The Government have issued strengthened guidance to local planning authorities on control of development in flood risk areas, and are reviewing the financial and institutional arrangements under which the flood defence service is delivered.?
136W
We are working with the Environment Agency in helping develop a shared understanding with the insurance industry of the true risks of flooding in particular areas, taking account not only of the indicative flood plain but also the current and future provision of flood defences.