§ 29. Sir R. THOMASasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has any information to show the approximate acreage in Wales of land now agriculturally valueless owing to lack of drainage, and of agricultural land which requires considerable further drainage to raise it to its full value; and what large areas are most in need of drainage?
§ The MINISTER of AGRICULTURE (Mr. Guinness)I am unable to give an estimate of the acreage of land in Wales now agriculturally valueless owing to lack of drainage, but it is estimated that 143,000 acres are capable of improvement by drainage, of which 115,000 acres are urgently in need of drainage. These figures refer to improvement by means of arterial drainage and do not include land which might be improved by ordinary field drainage.
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSHas the right hon. Gentleman any hope that any part of this acreage will be dealt with during the present year?
§ Mr. GUINNESSI must have notice of that question.