§ 77. Mr. ALBERYasked the Minister of Agriculture, if he can now state when his new Land Drainage Bill will be introduced?
§ 83. Mr. RAMSBOTHAMasked the Minister of Agriculture whether the Government still intends to introduce the Land Drainage Bill for England and Wales this Session?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of AGRICULTURE (Dr. Addison)The Bill is in draft. A great deal of work has yet to be done in connection with the draft before it will be ready for introduction, but my right hon. Friend hopes that the Bill will be introduced before Easter.
§ 79 and 80. Major CARVERasked the Minister of Agriculture (1) if his attention has been drawn to the floods in the valley of the Derwent, in East Yorkshire; and whether any schemes are being promoted to deal with this matter;
(2) if he is aware of the damage done to farms in the parish of Riccall, in the 337 East Riding of Yorkshire, owing to the bursting of the bank of the River Ouse there; and whether he is prepared to initiate any scheme to assist in rebuilding the banks and preventing a similar occurrence?
§ Dr. ADDISONMy right hon. Friend is aware of the circumstances of these cases. The Ministry itself has no power to initiate or carry out land drainage schemes, but substantial grants are available either from the Ministry or from the Unemployment Grants Committee towards schemes promoted by county councils or statutory Drainage Authorities the terms of which have been communicated to all the bodies concerned. No scheme has been submitted for either of the two districts mentioned but it is understood that a scheme embracing a portion of the River Derwent is under the consideration of the Drainage Authority.
§ Major CARVERIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that water is pouring into my constituency and that many of us are getting into very deep water indeed, financially and otherwise. Will he not consult his right hon. Friend the Lord Privy Seal in order to enable these poor tenant farmers to get some redress?
§ Dr. ADDISONWater is pouring into many other areas beside that of the hon. and gallant Member, and we are endeavouring to make up the arrears of the past by preparing a comprehensive national drainage scheme.