§ 82. Sir RICHARD WINFREYasked the Parliametary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether he has caused inquiry to be made regarding the breakage for the second time in a period of fifteen months of the Little Ouse Bank; what is the amount of damage caused thereby, what is the area of wheat and potato land so flooded, and the number of tenants who have been rendered homeless; and what steps the Board are taking to assist the unfortunate tenants?
§ Mr. ACLANDThe Board have caused inquiry to be made, and they learn that about 13,000 acres of land are flooded. They have no information at present as to the actual extent of the damage, though they believe that work is being done to stop the breach, with the assistance of 100 soldiers under capable direction. The Board themselves have no power to relieve private owners or tenants in such a case. The authority responsible for the upkeep of the river bank is the Feltwell Second Fen Drainage Commissioners, who have been warned by the two previous breaches that the bank urgently required improvement.
§ 83. Sir R. WINFREYasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture what progress has been made by the new authority created by the Board to-deal with the waters of the Great Ouse which now, instead of flowing into the sea, are returning into the Little Ouse and so increasing the volume of water finding its way on to the flooded lands in the Feltwell and Southsey fen district?
§ Mr. ACLANDI understand that the recently formed Lower Ouse Drainage Board has not undertaken any of the work which they are authorised to execute for the improvement of the outfall of the River Ouse, because they do not feel justified at present in employing either the labour or the capital required for the purpose. Their authority, as my hon. Friend is aware, does not extend to within many miles of where the recent breach has taken place.
§ Sir R. WINFREYSeeing the national importance of this matter, I shall call attention to it on the Adjournment to-night.