§ Matthew TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many homes in England and Wales are at risk of(a) river and (b) coastal flooding. [122725]
§ Mr. MorleyThe Environment Agency's indicative floodplain maps published in November 2002 suggest that there are(a) about 938,000 properties at risk of river flooding and (b) about 908,000 at risk of coastal/tidal flooding in England and Wales. These properties are situated within the indicative floodplains and the majority of them are protected by flood defence structures. Approximately nine per cent. of these are commercial properties.