§ 61. Mr. RILEYasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is now in a position to state if and when he intends to introduce legislation dealing with the recommendations of the recent Report of the Commission on Land Drainage?
Mr. GUINNESSI am afraid I cannot add anything to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for the Isle of Ely on the 13th February last. The recommendations of the Royal Commission on Land Drainage are continuing to receive the active consideration of my Department; but it is already evident that a very considerable amount of survey work will be necessary in order to fix the boundaries of the various Catchment Areas, which from the point of view of urgency, will have to be included in any Bill that may be introduced to give effect to these recommendations.
§ Mr. RILEYIs it not a fact that the Commission has reported that this question is a matter of urgency, especially to those whose land is in danger of being injured through the lack of proper drainage?
Mr. GUINNESSYes, that is the case, but we are getting on with the preparations for the Bill as fast as possible.
§ Miss LAWRENCEHas the Minister taken into consideration the suitability of this work for providing schemes of work for the unemployed?
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSHow does the right hon. Gentleman expect to solve permanently this drainage problem, until the land becomes the property of the nation?
Mr. GUINNESSI do not think the two problems of nationalisation and land drainage are connected as the hon. Member seems to consider.