Thursday Volume 559 7 March 2013 No. 126 HOUSE OF COMMONS OFFICIAL REPORT PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD) Thursday 7 March 2013 £5·00 © Parliamentary Copyright House of Commons 2013 This publication may be reproduced under the terms of the Open Parliament licence, which is published at www.parliament.uk/site-information/copyright/. 1099 7 MARCH 2013 1100 Mr Heath: The hon. Gentleman is simply wrong House of Commons about the consequences. I note that in the other place yesterday evening, their Lordships, having carefully Thursday 7 March 2013 considered the evidence, supported the Government’s position. The House met at half-past Nine o’clock Roger Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire) (LD): Last night at the meeting of the all-party parliamentary PRAYERS group on cheese, the Minister was able to see a wide array of excellent British cheeses, which are highly regarded in the world markets. I know that the Secretary [MR SPEAKER in the Chair] of State has done good work promoting British cheese in China. What other countries will the Department target on behalf of these excellent British products? Oral Answers to Questions Mr Heath: I think we have to do everything we can to promote excellent British products. Indeed, I entirely agree with what my hon. Friend said about cheese. I was ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS delighted to see cheese from my own constituency on display at last night’s meeting, but I was even more delighted only last week to see cheese produced only The Secretary of State was asked— four miles from where I live on display in Dubai at the biggest international trade fair in the world. We were Rural Economy promoting the interests of British business, and over 60 businesses were there. I will also be pleased to join 1. Julian Sturdy (York Outer) (Con): What policies British companies in promoting good British produce his Department is putting in place to increase growth in in Bangkok next week. the rural economy. [146575] Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield) (Lab/Co-op): The The Minister of State, Department for Environment, Minister will be aware of a good article and the very fine Food and Rural Affairs (Mr David Heath): Stimulating speech given just this week to the Engineering Employers economic growth is the top priority for this Government. Federation by the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation We want to see rural areas contributing to and benefiting and Skills. Much of what he is saying would regenerate from that growth. A £165 million package of measures the rural economy, but he is also a passionate supporter from the 2011 rural economy growth review is helping of crowd funding and crowd sourcing, which many of rural communities. We are improving superfast broadband us see as a regenerative tool in towns and in the rural infrastructure in the remotest areas and boosting key economy. What does the Minister think of that? sectors such as tourism. We are increasing export potential and unlocking barriers to growth by removing red tape. Mr Heath: I think that any tool that is effective in urban areas is likely to be effective in rural areas as well. Julian Sturdy: I thank my hon. Friend for his answer. I have repeatedly sought to make the point not only that He is right that superfast broadband is one of the key rural areas must not miss out on economic regeneration drivers of growth in the rural community. York and but that they are in many ways in a position to lead, as North Yorkshire have made great progress on delivering they have a huge contribution to make. I want to ensure the Government’s target of 90% coverage by 2015. that every single community in this country has the However, there is a danger that the digital divide could opportunity to enjoy the benefits of economic growth widen for some rural communities in the other 10% of as it develops. cases. Will my hon. Friend do all he can to push the case for those rural communities? Mr Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con): The residents of 22 villages in the borough of Kettering are concerned Mr Heath: The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right. about petrol and diesel prices, rural crime and the We must make sure that the advantages of high-speed access to and cost of off-grid energy, as well as access to broadband reach every community across the country, rural broadband. What representations to the relevant which is exactly what we are determined to do in time. Government Departments has my hon. Friend made on The good news is that we are reaching an extra 100,000 those important issues? households a week, so they now have the opportunity to use high-speed broadband. I think that is very good Mr Heath: This Department has a responsibility for news and we will, of course, continue to roll out the rural proofing across government, which means that we programme across the country. continually have a dialogue with other Departments about all the factors that have the potential to hold Mr Kevan Jones (North Durham) (Lab): If the Minister back individuals, businesses and communities in rural is so committed to boosting rural growth, why is he areas. The hon. Gentleman may be assured that we taking out of the pockets of poor agricultural workers a constantly make the point that we must have a clear quarter of a billion pounds-worth of money by abolishing regard for the more than 80% of the landmass that is the Agricultural Wages Board, which was opposed by rural Britain. It comprises only 20% of the population, two thirds of those in the consultation, including many but it is nevertheless enormously important to the fabric farmers? of this country. 1101 Oral Answers7 MARCH 2013 Oral Answers 1102 Huw Irranca-Davies (Ogmore) (Lab): How I wish The hon. Gentleman cannot come here and try to compare that I had a pair of the Minister’s rose-tinted spectacles. apples with pears. Labour Members must move on from In fact, the Government’s national economic strategy is this, and understand that we are doing what we need to shot; rural growth is further constrained by inflation do in very difficult financial circumstances. running at double the national average, higher costs of living and working; and the slow roll-out of rural Mr Nick Gibb (Bognor Regis and Littlehampton) broadband is leading to open warfare around the Cabinet (Con): In February, the Minister announced £10.8 million table. How does the Minister believe that taking another of capital to upgrade the tidal defences on the east bank quarter of a billion pounds out of the rural economy of the River Arun in Littlehampton, in my constituency. and the pockets of low-paid farm workers by scrapping That is a welcome decision, which demonstrates the the Agricultural Wages Board will jump-start the rural Government’s commitment to building new flood defences, economy? but it is not time for the insurance industry to match that commitment by agreeing to a replacement for the Mr Heath: I spent 13 years on the Opposition Benches flood insurance statement of principles, which expires trying to press the case for rural areas. The then Labour in June this year? Government did not listen to what was said in rural areas then, and I note that the hon. Gentleman is not Richard Benyon: I congratulate my hon. Friend on listening now to the realities of what is happening in the excellent work that he did in drawing attention to those areas and the realities of what is happening in the the needs of the people of Littlehampton following the agricultural industry. If he did, he would take a very floods that they suffered so recently. We are working at different position. a very fast tempo at the highest levels of Government to try to achieve an agreement which will massively improve Flood Defences on the statement of principles, which first does not cover every home and secondly contains nothing about 2. Mel Stride (Central Devon) (Con): What assessment affordability. We want a better system for the future. he has made of the effects of partnership funding on the provision of flood defences. [146577] Extreme Weather TheParliamentaryUnder-Secretaryof StateforEnvironment, 3. Barry Gardiner (Brent North) (Lab): What steps he Food and Rural Affairs (Richard Benyon): Partnership is taking to prepare and adapt homes, businesses, funding is enabling more schemes to go ahead and agricultural practices and infrastructure against the allowing greater local choice. It has already produced up threat of flooding and water scarcity resulting from the to £148 million in external funding over the four years to increased frequency of extreme weather. [146578] 2015, compared with £13 million during the previous three years. There are indications that a larger proportion TheParliamentaryUnder-Secretaryof StateforEnvironment, of protected households will be in deprived areas, and Food and Rural Affairs (Richard Benyon): The Government up to a quarter more schemes are set to go ahead in the will publish a report on the national adaptation programme coming years than was the case under the old system. later this year, which will set out actions to address the impacts of the increased frequency of extreme weather Mel Stride: The additional funding will be most welcome events on the built environment, our infrastructure network, to my constituents—not least those in Buckfastleigh businesses, our farming and forestry sectors, the natural and Kennford, who were grievously affected by the recent environment and our health. The Government are spending flooding—but may I urge my hon. Friend to ensure that £2.3 billion on reducing the risk from flooding and it is rolled out as quickly as possible, and may I also ask coastal erosion over this four-year period.