§ 17. Mr. MILLSasked the Minister of Agriculture what steps, if any, are being taken to prevent the destruction of the utility value of the River Medway as it affects agriculture?
Sir A. BOSCAWENThe Ministry has for some time had in mind the possibility of the Upper Medway ceasing to be maintained as a navigation and has prepared a draft Order under the Land Drainage Act, 1918, for the constitution of a Drainage Board for the district drained by the Medway and its tributaries from Maidstone up to a short distance above Tonbridge. The draft Order, which has not yet been formally deposited, has given rise to considerable opposition on account of the limited extent of the drainage district proposed, and is still the subject 1521 of discussion between the Ministry and the Kent County Council. In the meantime, I understand that the Kent County Agricultural Committee are endeavouring to raise a voluntary fund to enable the Conservators to continue the maintenance of the river for another year.