To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much his Department has spent on flood defences in each of the last five years.

[Official Report, 12 November 2008, Vol. 482, c. 1228W.]

Letter of correction from Huw Irranca-Davies:

An error has been identified in the table provided in the written answer given to the hon. Member for Westmorland and Lonsdale (Tim Farron) on 12 November 2008. The sums listed for the financial years 2007-08, 2006-07 and 2004-05 were incorrect. The correct answer should have been: (233933)

[holding answer 6 November 2008]: DEFRA provides funding to operating authorities for flood defences from the allocation of funding for Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management. Over the past five financial years this allocation totalled: