§ 8. Mr. JOHNSTONasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his attention has been drawn to the damage done to crops and property in the neighbourhood of Garmouth, Morayshire, owing to the repeated flooding of the River Spey, due to the sweeping away of a bulwark on a neighbouring estate; whether he is aware that no compensation is payable to the farmers and others for their losses; and what steps he proposes to take, by legislation or otherwise, to remedy this state of affairs?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for SCOTLAND (Sir John Gilmour)I am aware that considerable damage is caused to agricultural land by the periodical flooding of the River Spey, and my attention has already been drawn by the hon. Member for Moray and Nairn (Mr. J. Stuart) to the damage in this instance. I am not aware that there is any statutory provision for the payment of compensation in such cases. Regarding the latter part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 1st instant on the subject of the flooding of the River Kelvin. The whole problem is under consideration.
§ Mr. JOHNSTONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that floods have taken place on this land on 15 different occasions since September, 1927; that the land is going out of cultivation; that the railway embankment is being undermined, and that a village has been cut off; and cannot he, as the representative of the Government, take steps to deal with the situation?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI am getting the Board of Agriculture to report on the whole circumstances of the case. I can do no more at present.