Speaking in the House of Commons during a statement by the Environment Secretary, Martin thanked the the Secretary of State for visiting his constituency in the aftermath of the floods.
In response, Mr Paterson suggested that Martin pass details of the Environment Agency's proposals to the Department for consideration.
Martin concluded by stating that Cleethorpes' constituents could rest assured that once detailed proposals were obtained from the Environment Agency, he would continue to press ministers until resources were made available.
Extract from Hansard:
Martin Vickers (Cleethorpes) (Con): 'May I refer my right hon. Friend back to the floods of 5 and 6 December, and thank him for his visit to my constituency in the immediate aftermath? Subsequent meetings with the Environment Agency have suggested that it will prepare both a short and long-term strategy, and my residents—particularly in Barrow Haven, which has been flooded twice in the past six years—are anxious for those plans to be implemented speedily. Can my right hon. Friend give a categorical assurance that he will do all he can to ensure that the Environment Agency carries out that work?'
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Mr Paterson: 'I enjoyed my visit to my hon. Friend’s constituency. It was an extraordinary event—I think people told me that it was the worst weather they had had in 500 years, which shows what the Environment Agency has had to cope with recently. I would not want to jump the agency’s list of priorities, so perhaps my hon. Friend would be happy to write to the Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member for North Cornwall, who will take up the matter, and the particular details of the project he mentions, directly with the Environment Agency.'