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Pitt Report

I am grateful for the Secretary of State's kind words about the excellent work that Gloucestershire county council has been doing in informing residents about how they can protect themselves. I shall ensure that it is fed back to the leader of the council. The right hon. Gentleman mentioned surface water management plans. Obviously it is good that local authorities have that responsibility, but, given the number of different bodies involved—not just local authorities but water companies and private owners—one of the problems is getting them all to accept the responsibility. Can the Secretary of State confirm that until the floods and water Bill has become legislation, local authorities can draw up plans, but do not have power to enforce behaviour by those other bodies? Having such power would make the process of drawing up plans much more effective.