Pre-empt

The Prime Minister said that he didn't want to pre-empt the findings of the inquiry by making any policy changes before its recommendations were handed down.

Printing more money is a short-term measure used by some countries to pre-empt inflation, but, in the long term, it makes the situation worse.

The prime minister said that he didn't want to pre-empt the findings of the inquiry by making any policy changes before its recommendations were presented.

At the same time, NR Chief Executive Andrew Haines said: "I will not pre-empt the outcome of the investigation into this awful event, but it is clear the weather was appalling and there were floods and landslips in the area.