§ 1. Mr. T. WILLIAMSasked the Minister of Agriculture whether, having regard to the floods in that part of the Don Valley which falls within the area of the Doncaster Drainage Committee, any proposal for temporary or permanent remedial works haev been submitted to his Department for approval; and, if not, will he make representation to the committee and insist upon the powers conferred by the Drainage Act of 1929 being carried out?
§ The MINISTER of AGRICULTURE (Dr. Addison)No scheme of works has been submitted by the Doncaster District Board, but the board have prepared a scheme for the improvement of a portion of the lower part of the River Don and have obtained tenders. They feel some hesitation, however, in embarking on this 1344 work for the present owing to its cost, even allowing for possible assistance by means of a Government grant. As my hon. Friend is aware, whilst the Don-caster Board is charged with the general supervision of the district, provision is made in the 1929 Act for setting up further district boards. The Doncaster Board is proceeding with the work of surveying such new districts and framing schemes for their constitution and, until this preliminary work is more advanced, the board may feel that it needs a little more time to establish its position. I recognise, however, the urgency of the case and am communicating with the board on the subject.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSWhile thanking my right hon. Friend for the reply, may I remind him that a very large area of the Don Valley is in a very serious position at this moment? Unless the Doncaster Drainage Committee are going to do more than survey, I am very much afraid that the Drainage Act of 1929 will be useless in the area.
§ Dr. ADDISONI will bear those facts in mind.