§ 29. Major CARVERasked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the constantly recurring winter floods in the East Riding of Yorkshire and elsewhere in the country, he is now in a position to make any announcement as to the intentions of the Government towards the recommendations in the Report of the Royal Commission on Land Drainage; and, if not, when such an announcement can be expected and remedial work put in hand?
§ The MINISTER of AGRICULTURE (Mr. Guinness)The preparation of a Bill to give effect to the recommendations of the Royal Commission on Land Drainage is under consideration, but it is necessary, in the first instance, to carry out a considerable amount of survey work in order to determine the boundaries of the principal catchment areas for which authorities as proposed by the Royal Commission must be constituted. That work is being pressed forward as rapidly as possible, but there is no prospect of legislation being introduced during the present Session. I would point out, however, that existing drainage authorities, and to some extent other local authorities, have considerable powers under the present law for the carrying out of land drainage works.
§ Mr. NOEL BUXTONDoes the right hon. Gentleman contemplate any action by the Government previous to the pass- 1685 ing of new legislation, as distinguished from action by local authorities?
§ Mr. GUINNESSA question is on the Paper to-day about further schemes in connection with unemployment.
§ Mr. W. PALINGDoes this Bill include the Bill suggested by the Sub-committee of the Doncaster Drainage Authority?
§ Mr. GUINNESSThe Doncaster Bill dealing with a special area will be a private Bill, and notice has already been given.
§ Mr. MACPHERSONIn his consideration of this general question, will the right hon. Gentleman give special consideration to the serious flooding in Spey Valley?
§ Mr. GUINNESSI am not responsible for the administration of drainage law in Scotland.
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI know that, but I am asking whether, as the whole question is being discussed by the Cabinet, the right hon. Gentleman will draw the Government's attention to the very serious flooding in Spey Valley?
§ Mr. GUINNESSI will convey that to the Cabinet.
§ 32. Mr. HASLAMasked the Minister of Agriculture whether the terms under which the Government grants in respect of land drainage and coast defence will be given have been settled; and whether he has any announcement to make?
§ Mr. GUINNESSThe conditions on which these grants will be made have been settled and an explanatory circular will be issued to county councils and drainage authorities very shortly. The object of these grants is to facilitate the transfer of labour from depressed areas as recommended by the Industrial Transference Board, and it will be a condition of any grant that at least 50 per cent. of the labour employed must be obtained through the Employment Exchanges from depressed areas selected by the Ministry of Labour.
§ Miss LAWRENCEWill the Minister place these regulations in the Library, or arrange that they should be printed for the information of Members?
§ Mr. GUINNESSI will see how publication can most conveniently be arranged, but we are, in the first instance, preparing them in a form to invite applications from the local authorities.
§ Miss LAWRENCECan the form inviting applications be placed as soon as possible in the Library?
§ Mr. GUINNESSThere will be a letter to the local authorities. I am in no way suggesting that the House of Commons should have the information withheld, but I am not in a position to commit myself as to the form in which it should be brought to their notice.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODHas the right hon. Gentleman taken any steps to recover from the landlords whose land is-drained any part of the expenditure?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat question does not arise.
§ Mr. HASLAMIn places where there is unemployed labour in the district, will it be necessary to transport it from a distance?
§ Mr. GUINNESSYes, the whole basis of this scheme is that it should help the transference of labour from those districts where there is excessive unemployment or a lack of employment.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODMay I have an answ3r to my question?
§ Mr. GUINNESSThere is no occasion to recover from the ratepayers—
§ Mr. SPEAKERI have ruled out that question.
§ Mr. TAYLORDoes the Circular lay down any conditions with regard to rates of wages and conditions of labour?
§ Mr. GUINNESSI do not think so.