HC Deb 02 June 1938 vol 336 cc2228-9
55 Mr. Errington

asked the Minister of Health (1) why the public inquiry in regard to the Rimrose Brook scheme to prevent flooding in Bootle and Litherland was not held in January of this year as was anticipated; and when will it be held;

(2)" whether he is aware that renewed serious flooding has occurred in Bootle and Litherland; and whether he is prepared to take steps to prevent this;

(3) who are the authorities concerned in the discussions in regard to the Rimrose Brook scheme to prevent flooding in Bootle and Litherland, and whether agreement to the scheme has been reached; and why no action has been taken?

Mr. Elliot

The scheme is not yet before me, the plans having had to be altered for reasons which my predecessor gave in his reply of 7th April to my hon. Friend. I understand that agreement has been reached between the authorities promoting the scheme, and that as soon as the various statutory preliminaries have been carried out the scheme will be submitted to me, and I will then direct a local inquiry. The authorities concerned are the Lancaster County Council, the Bootle County Borough Council, the Crosby Borough Council, the Litherland Urban District Council and the West Lancashire Rural District Council. I have been informed of a recent recurrence of flooding during a period of heavy rain and high tide. As my hon. Friend is aware the prevention of flooding is one of the objects of the scheme.

Mr. Errington

Does the Minister realise that this matter has been under consideration for three years, that in one case a death was caused through this flooding, and that each year there is a recrudescence of the flooding, to the great discomfort of the people in the neighbourhood?

Mr. Elliot

Yes, Sir, that is why I am so glad that agreement has been reached. I hope the scheme will go through.

Mr. Logan

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that three years ago a young man was drowned in 10 feet of water in that neighbourhood, and that for three years running the water has been from 8 to 10 feet high in that street, and is it not a public scandal that that should happen just outside the city of Liverpool?

Mr. Elliot

That is why I say that it is very desirable that the local authorities concerned should come to an agreement.