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Flood and Water Management Bill

Indeed, but the fire and rescue services are not the only ones that need to be resourced. In Cumbria, the resources of the Ministry of Defence, the police, voluntary groups and so on also took a hit. The issue is about capability, rather than simply a statutory duty. Do we have the co-ordination and capability on the ground to respond not only to localised traumatic weather and flooding, but, as in the case of Cumbria, to situations that extend way beyond local capabilities? Is the planning and capability in place? That is exactly what the project is meant to address. I shall deal quickly with amendments 24 and 25, which would include fire and rescue authorities in the definition of a risk management authority and, of course, a Welsh risk management authority. I have already said that fire and rescue authorities are critical to managing floods, but that does not mean that it is appropriate to make them risk management authorities under the Bill. There is a clear reason why: the latter bodies have a key role in managing and reducing risk, rather than in addressing emergencies and recovery. They are two separate things. They all have a role to play in managing water, whether through drainage systems, watercourses, reservoirs or otherwise, but the latter bodies will be bound by a duty to act consistently with national strategy and, with the exception of water companies, local strategies. They have to play an active part in putting the strategies together, co-operating with partners and sharing information, and we would not want to put such demands on fire and rescue authorities. Similar points apply to amendments 26 and 27. Government amendments 31 to 34 address an issue, which my hon. Friend the Member for Newport, East raised in Committee, about the burden for local authorities in clause 19. It is important to ensure that local authorities are required only to take proportionate action. That has always been the policy, but we have agreed to clarify it. The amendments make it clear that local authorities need not ensure that they are aware of each and every flood incident, and that an investigation would be required only to the extent that it was considered necessary or appropriate. The amendments will ensure that local authorities are not unintentionally burdened. Finally, amendments 48 and 49 respond to the amendments that the hon. Members for Brecon and Radnorshire and for Cheltenham tabled in Committee. Our amendments would clarify that those who own or occupy land likely to be directly affected by any works under clauses 38 and 39 must be consulted. When the time comes, I shall therefore move amendments 31 to 34 and 48 and 49. I hope that I have dealt with all the other aspects of the debate, and I hope that in light of my comments the hon. Member for Vale of York will agree to withdraw new clause 2. I hope also that my hon. Friend the Member for Hayes and Harlington, on the basis of meeting me with some FBU members to explore his points further and to see whether we already have the provision that he looks for, will not press his amendment to a vote.