§ 26. Mr. T. WILLIAMSasked the Minister of Agriculture how much money has been spent, or is to be expended, on drainage schemes during the present winter; and what is the amount contributed by the Government?
Mr. GUINNESSThe financial assistance which I am now in a position to give to statutory drainage authorities is not limited to schemes to be carried out during the winter, and it is not practicable to estimate the expenditure actually incurred in that period. But it is estimated that in the present financial year the total expenditure on schemes approved under the programme now in force will be approximately £58,000, and the State contribution £22,000.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSCan the right hon. Gentleman give us any idea of the number of men actually employed on these drainage schemes?
Mr. GUINNESSNo; we have no information. They are not the old type of schemes specially to relieve unemployment in winter. They are schemes for the improvement of drainage, and not only employ labour direct, but involve large orders for plant.
§ Mr. BUXTONIn addition to those to which the right hon. Gentleman has 1387 alluded, have there been any schemes this last winter aided by unemployment grants as in former winters?
§ Mr. KIRKWOODHas the right hon. Gentleman's Department never considered the advisability of opening out a grand scheme for putting the unemployed on to land that was formerly cultivated but is going derelict? No matter to what part of the country we go, we see Britain going derelict, and I want to know whether the Department has ever considered the advisability of opening up that land.
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat does not arise out of the question.
§ Mr. HURDHas the right hon. Gentleman in contemplation any Measure this Session following upon his previous announcement of drainage policy?
Mr. GUINNESSWe are going to deal with the drainage of the Ouse area, and I hope to make an announcement shortly about the wider Measure mentioned by my hon. Friend.