§ 69. Mr. TAYLORasked the Minister of Agriculture if he will make inquiries into the Delph and general drainage system from Branston Booths to the River Witham. and the failure of the responsible authority to carry out essential works; whether he is aware that the Delph is now choked with weeds and has not been cleaned within the memory of any person in the district; that land adjacent to the Delph is flooded every year, and sometimes three times a year, so that it is impossible to work the land until April or May, thus rendering it impossible to raise a profitable crop; and that a considerable drainage rate is levied in this area; whether the Delph is under the jurisdiction of the Washingborough and Heighington Drainage Board; and, if so, will he make representations to that authority so that the Delph may be cleaned?
§ Major Sir HARRY BARNSTON(Controller of the Household)I have been asked to reply. My right hon. Friend has no recent information regarding the condition of the drainage system referred to by the hon. Member, which, by virtue of the provisions of special Acts of Parliament passed in the early part of last century, is under the jurisdiction of the Washingborough and Heighington Drainage Trustees. The Ministry, by an Order made in June last, authorised the trustees to raise a loan to provide a new pumping plant for the more effectual drainage of the district. My right hon. Friend has no direct powers of intervention, but he will cause inquiry to be made and will communicate the result to the hon. Member.