Local Flooding

Debate between Tania Mathias and Natascha Engel

Friday 23rd October 2015 Commons Chamber

[Dr Tania Mathias (Twickenham) (Con)]

I congratulate my hon. Friend on securing this incredibly important debate. I have the greatest sympathy for the family of his constituent who died as a consequence of the flood. I agree with him when he says that those bodies do not communicate with each other, and that our residents are utterly confused. I appreciate that Spelthorne suffered a lot of flooding. I live almost in the river in Teddington, and as I walked through the flood water, the level was right up to thigh level on my boots. The problem for Teddington is a lack of communication between the Environment Agency and the Port of London Authority. The Thames barrier could go up to protect the tidal area of London, but on the upper reaches of the Thames, the weirs and locks could be opened—

[Madam Deputy Speaker (Natascha Engel)]

Order. The hon. Lady is making a speech. Interventions must be kept to a minimum.