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Flood and Water Management Bill

That is very helpful, but I still do not quite understand the logic of what the Minister said in responding to our new clauses and amendments. It seems that the Government are accepting internal drainage boards and the Environment Agency as statutory consultees but refusing to accept water and sewerage companies, although it is those companies that will be affected in the event of an overflow and a lack of capacity. I think that there is common ground between us and the Liberal Democrats on flexibility. I readily agree that county councils should be responsible for sustainable drainage systems in relation to highways. However, we seem to have reached an impasse owing to the Minister's refusal to accept that district councils are best placed to be recognised as the approving body, particularly in relation to major housing developments and sustainable drainage systems connected with them. I fear that we will experience difficulties in implementing the Bill unless the Minister changes his view.