§ 19. Sir RICHARD WINFREYasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether he is aware that the flooded area, owing to the breaking of the Little Ouse bank, is now 20,000 acres, much of which is good wheat-growing land; that the depth of flooded water is from three to six feet and it is estimated there are 100,000,000 tons of water to pump off at a cost of £10,000; that two of the drainage boards concerned have exhausted their borrowing powers 1762 and, there being no prospect of levying a rate, they are at the end of their resources; and that, under these circumstances, it may take ten months or more to clear the land of water, which would make it too late for autumn sowing; and, seeing the national importance of growing food for the people, whether the Board of Agriculture will in some way come to their assistance?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of AGRICULTURE (Sir Harry Verney)The Board are fully aware of the lamentable conditions in the area referred to and they have represented the case to the Development Commissioners in the hope that some financial assistance may be provided on certain conditions towards the cost of pumping out the water.