§ 24. Mr. T. WILLIAMSasked the Minister of Agriculture whether the Ouse (Yorks) Catchment Board have reached a final decision on any scheme for dealing with the River Don; and, if so, what is the estimated cost and the total Treasury grant?
§ The MINISTER of AGRICULTURE (Mr. Elliot)The answer to the first part of the hon. Member's question is in the negative. The Ministry is still in communication with the Yorkshire Ouse Catchment Board concerning their application for a Government grant in respect of work on the River Don, which is estimated to cost £506,000. I understand that the work is proceeding.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSDo we understand the right hon. Gentleman to mean that the Ouse Catchment Board have now adopted the scheme, which is to cost £506,000, and 808 that the only outstanding point is as to a grant?
§ Mr. ELLIOTThe position is that we are still in communication with them.
§ Mr. PALINGWhen the right hon. Gentleman says that the work is proceeding, does he mean on this particular £506,000 scheme?
§ Mr. ELLIOTI understand that the Don Valley drainage works are all designed so as to work in with the general protection of these areas?
§ Mr. PALINGIs it not a fact that nothing has been started in connection wih this particular scheme?
§ Mr. ELLIOTAs I have said, I understand that the work is proceeding. How much if it is actually connected with the scheme in dispute I should hesitate to say without notice.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSIs it not a fact that the cause of the delay in approving of and proceeding with the work on the scheme is exclusively that the board are waiting for a decision on the question of a grant?
§ Mr. ELLIOTI must ask my hon. Friend not to attempt to commit me to statements like that. As I have said, we are in communication. I will not go any further than that.