§ Mr. SalmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) when Ministers or officials in her Department have met representatives from the Association of British Insurers since January 2002 to discuss Flood Risk Insurance; and what the outcome was in each case; [119586]
(2) what discussions Ministers or officials in her Department have held with representatives from the Association of British Insurers since January to discuss the agreement between the Government and the ABI on flood risk insurance which concluded at the end of December 2002. [119587]
§ Mr. Morley[holding answer 17 June 2003]: Defra and HM Treasury Ministers and officials met regularly with the Association of British Insurers (ABI) throughout 2002 to ensure continuance of flood cover for as many people as possible. The outcome of these discussions was a Statement of Principles announced by the ABI in September 2002.
Since January 2003, Defra and Treasury Ministers met the ABI on 20 May. Officials from both Government and ABI continue to meet regularly to discuss progress against the statement of principles.