Speeches by Buckley.

“You said that the MoD is monitoring this problem through the land quality framework. Do you mean that it is marking its own homework? We heard how the Environment Agency and HSE are responsible in other areas, and Ofwat has strategic overview of monitoring everybody else’s water or pollution. Could you clarify the inte…”

“That is interesting. The military not only have exemptions for use but, instead of being a hotspot, are a sort of not-spot. They can do their own survey, and they do not have to publish it unless forced to do so. Would it be better if a third party, an overarching agency, were able to do that, or if the military were r…”

“How do you think mapping can inform targeted interventions or remediation? We are policymakers, and we want to put recommendations to Ministers. Do you have any thoughts about that?”

“I take this opportunity to thank the Minister for launching last week’s consultation on the fair funding review 2.0. It was a beautiful moment for those of us who represent rural constituencies such as mine in Shrewsbury, because the consultation will ask councils to put forward evidence that explains the additional co…”

“I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Southampton Itchen (Darren Paffey) for securing this important debate. Shrewsbury is famous for being looped by the beautiful River Severn. It is a source of beauty, nature, tourism and livelihoods for my town, but also, unfortunately, the scene of 14 deaths in the last 10 years. O…”

“Thanks to Government investment in Royal Shrewsbury hospital, we are doubling the size of our A&E and adding 120 extra beds to our wards. While the construction site is taking up space in the car park, my local trust has arranged a free park-and-ride bus for NHS staff. Does the Leader of the House agree that my tru…”

“Your evidence is really compelling. We have been waiting a long time to hear a success story and I find it fascinating. I am going to sneak in an extra question, if I may, to Matthew Shelton about the pride you have in the scheme that you have turned around. You talked about how the business case votes for itself and y…”

“I was really interested in your description that we have an opportunity here with the new build to get that resilience, both in the fabric and in the design. We have had lots of discussions from the water infrastructure industry around asset management. I would be curious to hear what you think about the idea of incent…”

“We have just talked about the map that DEFRA has published, which shows how much more of the country is now at risk of flood, not just from rivers such as the River Severn, but from groundwater flooding. That map is extensive. What we cannot keep saying is that this is a small group of people who have to live with thei…”

“They have taken resilience measures.”

“Could I ask you to give me some advice, please, for House Coffee in Longden Coleham, Shrewsbury? It has been flooded twice, and its current quote is for £40,000 if it would like to be insured. What advice can you give me to give them when I go home to Shrewsbury?”

“Presumably, you made that judgment for residents, but you are saying that the same judgment does not apply to businesses.”

“I am going to ask the same question of you, Mr Shepherd, and hope that you are going to give me a much more positive answer, as somebody who cares about businesses that are not able to get insurance against flooding.”

“Why? If residents currently subsidise residents, why would you not ask businesses to subsidise businesses? Why would you change that model?”

“Do you mean build back better—the idea that they build back to a standard that, in itself, is more resilient?”

“Do you care that businesses cannot get cover? Your whole life’s work is to help people who are flooded to get insurance, and yet businesses that are employing people do not qualify.”

“Could I ask the same of you, Martin? How big is this problem in practice—these businesses and various types of residents who fall outside of the current Flood Re, but are not insurable?”

“It is just about balancing that off with them being stuck with a much higher bill or the problem of how we pay for it. I will move on to the question that I was supposed to ask you, which is for Megan. We have heard from various witnesses that landlords, lots of businesses and some long-term residents struggle to acces…”

“Yes, absolutely. It is a positive that we are being clearer and more honest about the level of risk, which then enables those property owners to be able to take more measures and be more realistic.”

“Is there a need for a clear organisation with that role? This would be a good moment to make any recommendations.”