The amendments address hugely important issues. I am concerned, however, that there are real problems with new clause 3, as there were with the identical clause tabled in Committee. I agree with the hon. Member for Reading, West (Martin Salter), who is no longer in his place, that enforcing the...

The amendments address hugely important issues. I am concerned, however, that there are real problems with new clause 3, as there were with the identical clause tabled in Committee. I agree with the hon. Member for Reading, West (Martin Salter), who is no longer in his place, that enforcing the...

I am not sure whether that intervention was addressed to me or the Minister, but anyway, the hon. Lady did not resolve the problem of what it is difficult to avoid calling a mistake in new clauses 5 and 6, namely the use of the word "urban", so I cannot...

I am not sure whether that intervention was addressed to me or the Minister, but anyway, the hon. Lady did not resolve the problem of what it is difficult to avoid calling a mistake in new clauses 5 and 6, namely the use of the word "urban", so I cannot...

We have little time remaining, so I want to ask the Minister a question. He mentions many consultations, and there is much public concern about these issues. Does he agree that two important issues have not been discussed tonight: insurance and planning permission for houses and new developments in flood-risk...

We have little time remaining, so I want to ask the Minister a question. He mentions many consultations, and there is much public concern about these issues. Does he agree that two important issues have not been discussed tonight: insurance and planning permission for houses and new developments in flood-risk...

The right hon. Gentleman makes a fair point. Some of the figures put forward by Thames Water, which I can share with him another time, suggest that the number affected is a small percentage of the overall total. That means that if the money was to be recovered through other...

The right hon. Gentleman makes a fair point. Some of the figures put forward by Thames Water, which I can share with him another time, suggest that the number affected is a small percentage of the overall total. That means that if the money was to be recovered through other...

I would like to start by echoing the remarks of the Minister and the hon. Member for Vale of York (Miss McIntosh) about the positive atmosphere that prevailed in Committee. I share their desire to ensure that that positive and co-operative attitude continues. New clause 22 is certainly a positive...

I would like to start by echoing the remarks of the Minister and the hon. Member for Vale of York (Miss McIntosh) about the positive atmosphere that prevailed in Committee. I share their desire to ensure that that positive and co-operative attitude continues. New clause 22 is certainly a positive...

I hope that the House will forgive my pressing this point. In fact, just for once, it is not the ministerial guidance that we, and the Scout Association, are worried about. The concern is about whether Ofwat's remit will still conflict with this issue, and about the fact that Ofwat...

I hope that the House will forgive my pressing this point. In fact, just for once, it is not the ministerial guidance that we, and the Scout Association, are worried about. The concern is about whether Ofwat's remit will still conflict with this issue, and about the fact that Ofwat...

The explicit assurance that I and the Scout Association were looking for, however, was on the exercise of the remit in respect of the concessionary charges scheme. We want an assurance that Ofwat will clearly see that it is responsible for ensuring that the scheme is fairly applied to community...

The explicit assurance that I and the Scout Association were looking for, however, was on the exercise of the remit in respect of the concessionary charges scheme. We want an assurance that Ofwat will clearly see that it is responsible for ensuring that the scheme is fairly applied to community...

The right hon. Gentleman makes an eloquent point. The spirit of it is exactly right. It underlines the risk of endlessly creating more and more bureaucracy and responsibility. Some of it may be welcome, but if it is allowed to grow without restraint, we may find that the practical result...

The right hon. Gentleman makes an eloquent point. The spirit of it is exactly right. It underlines the risk of endlessly creating more and more bureaucracy and responsibility. Some of it may be welcome, but if it is allowed to grow without restraint, we may find that the practical result...

I shall continue the spirit of cross-party friendship by expressing support for new clauses 2 and 9. New clause 2 addresses an issue on which many of our constituents have sought a lot of reassurance. As the hon. Member for Tewkesbury (Mr. Robertson) rightly pointed out, in the aftermath of...

I shall continue the spirit of cross-party friendship by expressing support for new clauses 2 and 9. New clause 2 addresses an issue on which many of our constituents have sought a lot of reassurance. As the hon. Member for Tewkesbury (Mr. Robertson) rightly pointed out, in the aftermath of...

I can reassure the right hon. Gentleman that if he had tabled any amendments, the notes on those would have been on extremely dark blue paper.

I can reassure the right hon. Gentleman that if he had tabled any amendments, the notes on those would have been on extremely dark blue paper.

I am absolutely in agreement with the hon. Gentleman on that. In fact he could have taken the words out of my mouth. The Government's proposal to break up that shared service is very much to be regretted. I hope that it will not happen. The omission from the Bill...

I am absolutely in agreement with the hon. Gentleman on that. In fact he could have taken the words out of my mouth. The Government's proposal to break up that shared service is very much to be regretted. I hope that it will not happen. The omission from the Bill...

Given the limited time available, I shall speak to new clause 14, which I want to press to a Division. Insurance is a huge issue; an amendment in the name of the right hon. Member for Makerfield (Mr. McCartney) also addresses it. It is of huge public concern, and we...

Given the limited time available, I shall speak to new clause 14, which I want to press to a Division. Insurance is a huge issue; an amendment in the name of the right hon. Member for Makerfield (Mr. McCartney) also addresses it. It is of huge public concern, and we...

Typically, my hon. Friend is absolutely right. It is in the interests of insurance companies themselves to get many of the issues relating to flooding and insurance sorted out. They do not want to insure properties that are at the most extreme risk—those that repeatedly flood and where no provision...

Typically, my hon. Friend is absolutely right. It is in the interests of insurance companies themselves to get many of the issues relating to flooding and insurance sorted out. They do not want to insure properties that are at the most extreme risk—those that repeatedly flood and where no provision...

I am sure that the right hon. Gentleman was listening carefully, but that is not what I said. I said that, because the subsidy was going to be spread across a very large number of people—in Thames Water's proposed scheme, the suggestion is that 95 per cent. would be subsidising...

I am sure that the right hon. Gentleman was listening carefully, but that is not what I said. I said that, because the subsidy was going to be spread across a very large number of people—in Thames Water's proposed scheme, the suggestion is that 95 per cent. would be subsidising...

This Bill, if a little late and perhaps a little rushed—certainly today—is an important and much needed piece of legislation, which we continue to support. In just a few minutes, flood water has the power to instil fear in people, damage property—almost beyond belief in some cases—and cause enormous costs...

This Bill, if a little late and perhaps a little rushed—certainly today—is an important and much needed piece of legislation, which we continue to support. In just a few minutes, flood water has the power to instil fear in people, damage property—almost beyond belief in some cases—and cause enormous costs...

My hon. Friend makes a welcome contribution and raises an important issue. I thank the Minister and the hon. Member for Vale of York for their important and constructive contributions to the debates throughout. Although he is not present now, I would like to give particular thanks to my hon....

My hon. Friend makes a welcome contribution and raises an important issue. I thank the Minister and the hon. Member for Vale of York for their important and constructive contributions to the debates throughout. Although he is not present now, I would like to give particular thanks to my hon....

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much is planned to be spent by (a) his Department, (b) local authorities and (c) the Environment Agency on flood and coastal erosion risk management in each year from 2010-11 to 2012-13, indicating in respect of each...

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much is planned to be spent by (a) his Department, (b) local authorities and (c) the Environment Agency on flood and coastal erosion risk management in each year from 2010-11 to 2012-13, indicating in respect of each...

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much was spent by (a) his Department, (b) local authorities and (c) the Environment Agency on flood and coastal erosion risk management in each year between 2007-08 and 2009-10, indicating in respect of each total how much...

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much was spent by (a) his Department, (b) local authorities and (c) the Environment Agency on flood and coastal erosion risk management in each year between 2007-08 and 2009-10, indicating in respect of each total how much...

Does the Secretary of State believe that local authorities have the resources to enforce that step adequately?

Does the Secretary of State believe that local authorities have the resources to enforce that step adequately?

My test of the Flood and Water Management Bill is whether it will help Warden Hill. It is important and right to sympathise with people in Cumbria, to remember the loss of life and to celebrate the extraordinary response of the emergency services, volunteers, friends and neighbours to both the...

My test of the Flood and Water Management Bill is whether it will help Warden Hill. It is important and right to sympathise with people in Cumbria, to remember the loss of life and to celebrate the extraordinary response of the emergency services, volunteers, friends and neighbours to both the...