§ 60. Mr. R. MORRISONasked the Minister of Agriculture whethere any consideration has been given to the scheme suggested by the consulting engineers of the Lee Conservancy Board for the amelioration of the flooding conditions in the Lee Valley, as being a work upon which a considerable number of unemployed men could be engaged; and whether steps will be taken to confer upon the authorities concerned the necessary powers to proceed with the scheme?
Mr. GUINNESSA scheme dealing with the River Lee was before my Department some years ago, but it had very little bearing on agricultural interests. 1384 I am always prepared to consider any new proposals, but I am bound to point out that the Lee Conservancy is not a Drainage Authority under the Land Drainage Acts, and any scheme for that River would probably be a matter for consideration by the Unemployment Grants Committee and not by my Department.