It may be helpful if I touch briefly on the background to the Government's proposals. There were a number of flood events in Scotland in recent years. Scottish Office Ministers visited a number of the affected areas and discussed with those whose homes and businesses had been flooded the problems they were facing. It was clear that something had to be done to help prevent such people suffering in the way they had. Column 75 prevent or mitigate flooding of non-agricultural land.
Councils are also able to promote flood prevention schemes.
But it was clear that not enough of these types of works were being carried out. The Government therefore decided that existing legislation and responsibilities for flood prevention measures would be reviewed. The Scottish Office issued a consultation paper in February 1996 which evoked a wide range of responses from councils, other public bodies, businesses and individual members of the public. It was clear from these responses that the issues are complex and the solutions far from straightforward. But following very careful consideration of the options, the Government issued a draft Bill in September of last year for further consultation.