To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what restrictions exist on building developments on the River Thames flood plains.

Applications for developments on the River Thames flood plains, as elsewhere, are determined by the local planning authority in the light of all material considerations. My Department's Circular 17/82 emphasises that, where land drainage considerations arise, they should always be taken into account in determining planning applications, but arrangements for investigating flood risks will be a matter for local planning authorities themselves.