§ MR. ARTHUR O'CONNORasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, If he will state what is the legal difficulty in connection with the drainage of the Barrow which the Government propose to deal with by legislation; and, how soon he proposes to introduce a Bill for the purpose?
§ MR. COURTNEYSir, the legal difficulty referred to was the inability of towns to contribute to works of arterial drainage by which they may be largely benefited. I understand that this is one of the difficulties in the case of the Barrow valley. I am not at present able to give any date for the introduction of a Bill dealing with this difficulty. That must depend, to some extent, on whether we can bring in a general consolidating Drainage Bill or one confined to this purpose.
§ MR. DAWSONasked if a Royal Commission was to be appointed?
§ MR. COURTNEYsaid, he did not undertake that a Royal Commission would be appointed, but a preliminary inquiry was being made.
§ MR. T. A. DICKSONsuggested that the river basin should be included in the inquiry.