HC Deb 24 October 1950 vol 478 c2674
6. Captain Duncan

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland why he licensed the erection of six forest workers' cottages now being undertaken by the Forestry Commission on a site which is floodable and which has in fact been recently flooded.

Mr. T. Fraser

The site selected was the most suitable of those available and was approved by the local planning authority. A flood was caused last year through a breach in the banks of the burn after exceptional rainfall. The banks have now been raised and there should be no further flooding.

Captain Duncan

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that flooding takes place not only through the burn overflowing, but through surface water coming down from the hill above and, if these foresters' cottages are not to be removed but are to be finished, will the hon. Gentleman arrange that the flooding from the hill above is stopped, because that is the worst of the trouble?

Mr. Fraser

I understand that the flooding from the higher ground is to be avoided by the construction of a ditch to divert the water.