§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has to amend the levels of grant to local authorities to take account of the work on flood management and flood defence that will arise from his plans for new development in(a) Ashford, (b) the Thames Gateway, (c) the M11 corridor and (d) Milton Keynes and the South Midlands. [97636]
§ Margaret BeckettI have been asked to reply.
The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister provides significant funding for the management of flood risk through its local authority Revenue Support Grant mechanism to support local authority levies to the Environment Agency and internal drainage boards and local authorities' own spend on flood and coastal defences. However, responsibility for estimating the requirement for central Government support in this area falls to Defra. Additionally, capital investment in new or improved flood defences by the flood and coastal defence operating authorities, including local authorities, would be eligible for Defra capital grant, subject to meeting the Department's criteria.
741WNo specific provision has been made over the Spending Review period (to 2005–06) for investment in flood defences to protect new development in the areas mentioned. I would also refer the hon. Member to my answer to his related parliamentary question 97637 with respect to investment in capital defence works, which explains that many of these developments, for example the Thames Gateway, will be defended to a high standard by existing defences which would anyway be subject to a renewal programme.