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Flood and Water Management Bill

I am sure that we can disapprove of the Minister in all sorts of ways and that the noble Lord, Lord Campbell-Savours, has the capacity to do so. We on these Benches will forgive the Minister for many things, except perhaps for the fact that he sits on the government Benches and not on ours. I am very grateful for the point that he made because it was very interesting. There is an exception for the water companies to some degree, and I understand exactly how it comes about, but I hope that the Minister will understand that we see them as an integral part of this partnership. It is very important that they are consistent with a strategy that is being developed both nationally and locally, and we hope that the regard which they must have is not too far from the consistency to which the Bill refers and which the Minister advocates. This has been a very useful debate in the sense that we have been able to talk about these things. I think that the focus is on the degree to which the success of all flood management will depend on local input and on the local partnerships that are formed between government agencies and the local flood authorities. It is really important to have been able to debate that point. I am very grateful to the Minister for his particular comments on IDBs, which are quite important for particular project managements. I thank all noble Lords who have spoken in what has been a very worthwhile debate. I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment 27 withdrawn. Amendments 28 to 31 not moved. Clause 9 agreed. Clause 10 : Local flood risk management strategies: Wales Clause 10 : Local flood risk management strategies: Wales Amendments 32 to 37 not moved. Clause 10 agreed. Clause 11 : Effect of national and local strategies: England Clause 11 : Effect of national and local strategies: England Amendments 38 to 39 not moved. Clause 11 agreed. Clause 12 : Effect of national and local strategies: Wales Clause 12 : Effect of national and local strategies: Wales Amendment 40 not moved. Clause 12 agreed. Clause 13 : Co-operation and arrangements Clause 13 : Co-operation and arrangements Amendment 41 not moved. Clause 13 agreed. Amendments 42 to 43A not moved. Clause 14 : Power to request information Amendment 44 Clause 14 : Power to request information Amendment 44 Moved by