HC Deb 21 December 1893 vol 20 c80
MR. BRAND (Cambridge, Wisbech)

I beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Government will agree to the appointment of a Select Committee next Session to inquire into the Report of Sir John Rennie, in 1837, as to the better drainage of the Wash, with a view to ascertaining whether any advantage can now be taken of the recommendations then made involving the very considerable improvements in the four ports on the Wash—namely, Boston, Spalding, Sutton Bridge, and Lynn, and the reclamation of land estimated at 150,000 acres?

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Sir W. HARCOURT,) Derby

This is a very large scheme, upon which no action has been taken for more than half a century, and I could not undertake to recommend the appointment of a Select Committee without a good deal more information on the subject than I at present possess.

MR. J. STUART (Shoreditch, Hoxton)

Is there any objection to having a copy of Sir John Rennie's Report printed and distributed among Members?

SIR W. HARCOURT

I must ask for notice of that.

MR. GIBSON BOWLES (Lynn Regis)

I think the right hon. Gentleman is under a misconception as to nothing having been done. In fact, the Norfolk Estuary Company has done a great deal of reclamation.