§ Nick HarveyTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what funds have been allocated to coastal communities for flood defence work per capita in each of the past 10 years; and if she will make a statement. [39400]
§ Mr. MorleyThe table details DEFRA grant to the Environment Agency (EA) and local authorities (LAs) for capital works to provide tidal river and sea defences and protection against coastal erosion in each of the last 10 financial years.
£ million EA Sea/Tidal River LA Sea/Tidal River LA Coast Protection 1991–92 24.6 0.1 19.5 1992–93 29.6 0.5 12.2 1993–94 26.7 0.4 18.6 1994–95 30.6 0.1 24.2 1995–96 38.1 0.2 31.3 1996–97 41.2 0.7 34.7 1997–98 34.0 0.8 24.2 1998–99 27.4 0.1 24.1 1999–2000 21.3 0.9 24.7 2000–011 17.5 1.2 12.0 1 In 2000–01 Las under-achieved on coast protection works compared to their plans. They have recognised the need to improve project planning and the reliability of their forecasts. Further funds are spent by the EA and LAs to cover non grant aided works, such as maintenance and flood warning. I regret I am unable to provide the above figures on a per capita basis without incurring disproportionate cost.