26/02/10
The Flood and Water Management Bill has had its second reading in the House of Lords. Peers from all parties were keen to support the Bill.
The minister has confirmed that there will be a committee stage in the Lords, though it is likely to be short.
The Bill will then go through all its remaining stages during the ‘wash-up’ period between an election being called and parliament being prorogued. Peers were amused by the thought that they would be considering SUDS* during the wash-up.
In Committee, peers are likely to discuss the need to end the ‘automatic right to connect’ (Schedule 3 and Clause 42) – a measure to prevent sewer flooding, social tariffs (Clause 44) and concessionary charges for community groups (Clause 43). Both the Church and the Scouts have keen advocates in the Lords.
Hosepipe bans (Clause 36) are also likely to be discussed, as many peers are keen gardeners, briefed by the Royal Horticultural Society.
Flood & Water Management Bill
Parliament UK website
Contact: Dawn Waterman
*sustainable drainage systems
This update was first published in the stakeholder newsletter The View from Water UK February 2010
