Oral Answers to Questions

Lord Bellingham Excerpts

Monday 20th January 2014 Commons Chamber

[Mr Henry Bellingham (North West Norfolk) (Con)]

8. When he next expects to meet local authorities in East Anglia to discuss the problems caused by the tidal surges of 5 to 6 December 2013.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (Brandon Lewis)]

I am at the moment inviting local council leaders from across the country whose areas have been affected by flooding to meet me, beyond those I have already spoken to. In fact, I plan to meet East Anglian authorities on 27 January.

[Mr Bellingham]

Will the Minister join me in paying tribute to the Environment Agency and all the other emergency services that worked so tirelessly on the night of the tidal surges, many of which, along the Norfolk coast, were the highest ever on record? Does he agree that the repair work has also been absolutely fantastic? The repairs are now nearly all finished, as I saw for myself when I visited the shingle embankment between Snettisham and Hunstanton last Friday. Will he tell the House what more he will do to talk to local authorities?

[Brandon Lewis]

My hon. Friend is right to highlight the excellent work done by local authorities and emergency services. I must stress that voluntary groups and schools also worked through the night. Particular credit must go to local organisations, such as the Norfolk Community Foundation and our great Eastern Daily Press, which have campaigned on behalf of local communities. I will invite those groups to talk to us about the lessons they have learned and what more we can do to ensure that the recovery goes smoothly.