§ 22. Lord FERMOYasked the Minister of Agriculture the acreage in Norfolk which, first, is urgently in need of drainage and, secondly, which is capable of improvement by drainage?
Mr. GUINNESSThe Ministry is aware of some 80,000 acres of land in Norfolk urgently in need of arterial drainage and of further large areas capable of improvement by arterial drainage, but a complete survey has not yet been made. I am unable to say what area might be improved by field drainage.
§ Mr. NOEL BUXTONDoes the right hon. Gentleman intend to introduce any other special drainage Measures in addition to the Doncaster Area Drainage Bill?
Mr. GUINNESSNo other special Measure will be introduced, but we are preparing for a general Act in whirl Norfolk as well as other counties will be dealt with.
§ Sir H. LUCAS-TOOTHHow long will it be before the general Act can be brought before the House?
Mr. GUINNESSThe survey is being pressed on as fast as possible, but until we get the report I am afraid that I cannot give the date.
§ Sir H. LUCAS-TOOTHCan the right hon. Gentleman say when the survey will be completed?
§ Brigadier-General CLIFTON BROWNWill the general Act have anything to do with land drainage? Is it not on a much larger scale?
Mr. GUINNESSIt will probably not deal with field drainage, because that is a matter for the landowner and the occupier, but it deals with arterial drainage and the law of assessment.