Local Audit and Accountability Bill [Lords]

Neil Carmichael Excerpts

Tuesday 17th December 2013 Commons Chamber

[Neil Carmichael (Stroud) (Con)]

I served on the Bill Committee and thoroughly enjoyed it. I thank everyone else who served on the Committee for making it such an enjoyable process. As has been recognised, we scrutinised the Bill extraordinarily well.

I want to talk briefly about internal drainage boards, which are important. In my constituency, the IDB is essential in maintaining flood defences and as part of the process of ensuring that houses are protected. The accountability of our IDBs is relevant to the Bill, so I want to underline their importance to local communities. I also note that councillors are, of course, on the boards and should be applying influence as appropriate. The precept issue should not disguise the fact that IDBs play an important part in land drainage, certainly in areas of my constituency.

Question put and agreed to.

Bill accordingly read the Third time and passed, with amendments.