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Pitt Report

The Secretary of State's statement rightly underscored the crucial role of local authorities in co-ordinating a response to surface water flooding. That was a key finding in the Committee's report and in Sir Michael's inquiry. However, given that the weather events that led to the flooding that gave rise to Sir Michael's inquiry were of an unpredictable nature, how quickly will the remaining local authorities—besides the six mentioned in the statement—be able to take on those responsibilities? If Sir Michael's report is to be fully implemented, all local authorities should be co-ordinating their responses now, not waiting until some point in the future.