FLOODS Minister Elliot Morley has launched a sharp attack on York Liberal Democrat councillors, claiming they had failed to understand who was behind controversial proposals for a "flood plain tax".

He told a Commons debate that the councillors were "incapable" of properly reading a consultation document on how to fund future flood defence work.

Last month, Mr Morley published a report on how to bridge the funding gap between the cash provided by Government for new flood defences and the total sum which is required.

The report, which came up with three alternative proposals including the "flood tax", was produced by the independent Oxford Economic Research Associates.

The flood plain tax would replace the existing system under which householders across the country pay a precept on their Council Tax bills - regardless of whether they live in flood risk areas.

But Liberal Democrat councillors this week put forward a motion to full council criticising the proposal, which would see homes at risk of flooding paying an extra premium to fund new defences.

Mr Morley told MPs: "It is a consultative report and people are, of course, free to express their views on that.

"But they are not Government proposals - unlike some of the comments from the Liberal Democrat councillors on York City Council, I have to say.

"They seem incapable of reading consultative reports and thought they actually were (Government proposals)."

But Liberal Democrat councillor Sue Galloway was bemused by the comments.

She told the Evening Press that the motion proposed by her party had merely said it would be unacceptable to seek to impose such a charge.

She pointed out that the motion was supported from all sides, including Labour councillors.

During the same Commons exchange, Vale of York MP Anne McIntosh invited Mr Morley to join with her in "congratulating" the members of Rawcliffe Parish Council who are to act as "voluntary wardens" in the event of future flooding.

He replied: "I want to warmly congratulate Rawcliffe Parish Council in what they have done in terms of self-help. We are very keen to encourage this."

Selby MP John Grogan welcomed the proposals in the document for the Environment Agency to take control of all waterways at risk of flooding.

He said it would end confusion between drainage authorities, the agency and local councils, over who was responsible for preventing and responding to floods.

Updated: 11:03 Friday, March 08, 2002