MP calls for flood prevention investment
Speaking in the House of Commons, Brooks Newmark calls for Government investment for flood prevention in the Braintree and Witham areas.
Mr. Brooks Newmark (Braintree) (Con): Two weeks ago, many villages in and around Braintree and Witham were once again hit by substantial flooding, which closed roads and left people stranded. Does the Secretary of State agree or at least recognise that my constituency urgently needs further investment for flood prevention, and will he commit to that investment today?
Hilary Benn: I recognise that the hon. Gentleman's constituents were affected by the flooding and I know that he wrote to my right hon. Friend the Minister of State on that question. Mercifully, the number of properties flooded across the country was relatively small and a number of the flood defence schemes that have been put in place acted to protect people in those circumstances. On investment, the Government's position is crystal clear. It would be quite helpful if the hon. Gentleman encouraged his party's new shadow spokesperson to give an equally clear commitment that it supports the investment that we are going to make up to 2010-11.
