HC Deb 17 November 1930 vol 245 cc25-6
55. Mr. de ROTHSCHILD

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is taking any steps in consequence of resolutions addressed to him by the commissions representing a number of districts in the Ouse catchment area to the effect that, in the opinion of the said commissions, unnecessary and heavy expense will be incurred by these districts as a result of the provisions of the Land Drainage Act, 1930, which compel them to raise money on a basis of annual value instead of, as formerly, on an acreage basis?

Dr. ADDISON

The particular provisions of the Land Drainage Act, 1930, to which the hon. Member refers, were inserted by the Committee of this House which considered the Bill, the Committee being practically unanimous on the subject. I do not, therefore, propose to initiate the legislation which would be necessary to amend these provisions of the Act.

56. Mr. de ROTHSCHILD

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of the opinion expressed by the drainage district boards in the fen portion of the Ouse catchment area to the effect that, having regard to the special problems and importance of drainage in those districts, they are inadequately represented on the catchment board; and whether he will in future consider the more adequate representation on the catchment board of those districts by men conversant with their local difficulties?

Dr. ADDISON

The opinion has been expressed that some districts will be inadequately represented on the Catchment Board of the Great Ouse catchment area, but the number of members proposed for the Catchment Board is the maximum allowed by the Land Drainage Act, and the number proposed to represent the lowland or fen portion of the catchment area is also the maximum permitted by the statute. I have, therefore, no power to increase the numbers, but I am giving careful consideration to the selection of the members who have to be appointed by myself, and I am confident that the complete board can be made adequately representative of the catchment area as a whole, and of the various interests affected.

Lieut.-Colonel HENEAGE

Does the right hon. Gentleman think that the Land Drainage Act can be made to work?

Mr. SPEAKER

That is a matter of opinion.