Flooding

Debate between Maria Eagle and Richard Ottaway

Wednesday 26th February 2014 Commons Chamber

[Maria Eagle]

I am happy to acknowledge the support that has been given in the manner that the right hon. and learned Gentleman sets out to the House.

[Sir Richard Ottaway (Croydon South) (Con)]

The hon. Lady said that the Government, or the country, was not properly prepared for the incidents that we faced. If she had come to my constituency, she would have seen that only prompt action by the fire brigade, the Army, the emergency services and the Environment Agency stopped a disaster. It is unfair and unfounded to say that the plans that were put in place and implemented amounted to a lack of preparation.

[Maria Eagle]

I hear what the right hon. Gentleman says about his experience in his constituency. I did not say that there was no support or preparation, but the Government did not act in the requisite fashion to deal with the seriousness of the situation in many places.