HC Deb 20 July 1927 vol 209 cc396-7
36. Major Sir ARCHIBALD SINCLAIR

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in the case a claims admitted for payment since the end of the financial year 1926–27 for drainage grants in respect of work carried out during that year, payment will be made out of the sum of £20,625 voted for that purpose last year, or whether it will be made out of money voted by Parliament for the current year?

Sir J. GILMOUR

Claims for drainage grants in respect of work done during the year 1926–27, and admitted for payment since 31st March last, will be met from money voted by Parliament for the current year.

Sir A. SINCLAIR

Does the right hon. Gentleman mean that we shall be deprived of the balance between what was actually granted last year by the Board of Agriculture and the amount voted by Parliament? Shall we lose that for drainage purposes?

Mr. MACPHERSON

Will my right hon. Friend publish a statement explaining how this money has been spent per county in Scotland?

Sir J. GILMOUR

I will consider that point, but, of course, there is considerable overlapping from year to year.

Sir A. SINCLAIR

Will the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to answer my supplementary question, namely: Does this mean that we shall lose the difference between what was actually spent on draining during last year and what was voted by Parliament—that that money will not be available for drainage in Scotland?

Sir J. GILMOUR

The money for drainage appears on the Vote each year, and the money which is not spent in any particular year, of course, will not be available afterwards.

Colonel WEDGWOOD

Who gets this money for drainage? Is it the Scottish landlords?

Mr. MACPHERSON

Can my right hon. Friend say why there is this surplus that is going back to the Treasury this year? Why will it not be applied in the counties of Scotland where drainage is necessary?

Sir J. GILMOUR

There are considerable administrative difficulties. In some cases it is the fault of people who apply for grants and then do not carry out their drainage. That, no doubt, creates some of these difficulties.