Written question asked by Sally Keeble (Labour) on Tuesday, 28 April 1998, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 6 May 1998. It was answered by Elliot Morley (Labour) on Wednesday, 6 May 1998 on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Question: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what steps have been taken to monitor the implementation of the ministerial directive of March 1996 directing the Environment Agency to make flood warnings its top priority.

Answer: Ms Keeble: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps have been taken to monitor the implementation of the ministerial directive of March 1996 directing the Environment Agency to make flood warnings its top priority. [40595] Mr. Morley: The Ministerial Direction of March 1996 required the Environment Agency, with effect from 1 September 1996, to take the lead in disseminating flood warnings in England and Wales. Safeguarding of life is the highest Ministry priority and this is reflected in the priority we give to grant aiding capital expenditure on flood warning systems. In the past two years, the Ministry has contributed some £0.5 million of grant towards the Agency's flood warning arrangements. My officials have worked with the Agency in its implementation of the Ministerial direction. This has included overseeing studies of the effectiveness, and public awareness, of the inherited arrangements; the development of flood warning dissemination plans; and development of a flood warning strategy.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 311 c417-8W; 40595
Session: 1997-98
Subjects: Central government Finance Flood control Grants Environment Agency