HC Deb 21 January 2003 vol 398 cc218-9W
Norman Baker

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the internal drainage boards in England and Wales, broken down by constituency. [91578]

Mr. Morley

[holding answer 20 January 2003]: The information is not available in the form requested. However, a list of drainage boards wholly or partly in England together with associated constituent councils has today been placed in the Libraries of the House. A map of internal drainage districts (Ref: PB 5455 Flood Defence and Land Drainage in England and Wales) is available from The Stationery Office. Flood defence is a fully devolved responsibility and the information relating to Boards in Wales should be sought from the National Assembly.

Norman Baker

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much(a) public and (b) other money internal drainage boards have received in each year since 1997; how much money internal drainage boards have spent in each year since 1997; and if she will make a statement. [91579]

Mr. Morley

[holding answer 20 January 2003]: Internal drainage boards' income and expenditure is as follows:

Internal drainage boards' income and expenditure
£
Public Other Total
Income
1999–2000 21,459,845 19,088,311 40,548,156
2000–01 21,439,538 20,221,600 41,661,138
2001–02 24,377,419 20,403,613 44,781,032
Expenditure
1999–2000 40,721,041
2000–01 41,983,118
2001–02 43,305,755

Notes:

1. The information for earlier years is not available other than at disproportionate cost. That for 2002–03 is not yet available; information is collected annually.

2. The funding referred to as 'public money' comprises of special levies paid by local authorities, Environment Agency contributions and Government grants.

Norman Baker

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the effectiveness of internal drainage boards in dealing with flood alleviation in England and Wales. [91580]

Mr. Morley

[holding answer 20 January 2003]: There are 223 internal drainage boards (IDBs) in England, of greatly varying size, whose role is to secure the effective land drainage of their area. I believe that they generally perform this role well.

The great majority of IDBs have produced policy statements setting out their approach to flood defence issues. IDBs have also generally played a full role in inspecting flood defences and watercourses, reporting the results to the Environment Agency as required under Defra's High Level Targets.

The institutional arrangements for flood and coastal defence are currently being considered in the Flood and Coastal Defence Funding Review. While I see a continuing role for internal drainage boards I shall wish to ensure that their activities are compatible with wider Government policies and that they are organised in a way well fitted to the 21st Century.