§ 52. Mr. LAMBasked the Minister of Agriculture whether, seeing that in connection with schemes for the relief of unemployment tile-drainage schemes for the improvement of agricultural land would rank for grants in Scotland but not in England, he will state the reasons for this differential treatment?
Mr. GUINNESSThe question of making grants towards schemes of tile drainage has been reviewed at various times, but it has always been considered that any moneys available for England and Wales could more usefully be expended in assisting schemes of arterial drainage, for which there is an urgent need in many parts of the country.
§ Lieut.-Colonel HENEAGEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that, while arterial drainage assists those on the lower slopes of the hills or down in the lower part of the catchment area, both uplanders and lowlanders are suffering from an absence of money to find means for providing tile drainage?
§ Mr. LAMBIs it not a fact that we are prevented from having assistance for this purpose in England, no matter what case may be put forward?
Mr. GUINNESSIn answer to the first question I quite appreciate that field drainage offers great advantage but where we have not all the funds available that I should like, I feel that we ought to devote whatever we can spend to the more urgent needs of arterial drainage. In reply to the second question, we are quite prepared to consider any case that may be made for assisting field drainage though my opinion is that it has a less claim than arterial drainage.
§ Sir DOUGLAS NEWTONHas the right hon. Gentleman considered that increased production might be effected by tile drainage as compared with arterial drainage?