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Mr. Cawsey: I am conscious that my hon. Friend is rapidly running out of time, but anxious that he comments on the temporary flood defences that are not likely to be in place for five weeks. What advice would he give people who want to move back into the area in the meantime?

Mr. Morley: I understand my hon. Friend's point. There will be some risk during the winter because the ground is saturated and the rivers are full. Further rain may cause flooding. People should remember that flooding was the result of extreme circumstances and that defences will be repaired and strengthened as soon as possible.

Of course I cannot give my hon. Friend a guarantee that there will not be further floods; I do not think that anyone could do that. However, we can try to reduce the risks, and we shall be working with the Environment Agency to do so. We shall be advising people in Gowdall about the risks and when they can start to think about moving mobile homes into the area, if that is what they want.

I emphasise that we fully understand the pressures that the people of Gowdall are under. I fully understand the enormous commitment that my hon. Friend has made to the village and his anxiety in ensuring that residents receive the support that they need and to which they are entitled. I give a commitment, as the Minister responsible, to work with him to ensure that they receive that support, in order to try to overcome the distress and extreme circumstances that they have faced, so that we can bring normality back to the village of Gowdall as quickly as possible.

Question put and agreed to.

Adjourned accordingly at half-past Ten o'clock.

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