§ 21. Mr. T. WILLIAMSasked the Minister of Agriculture how many drainage schemes have been submitted to his Department by catchment area boards; how many of such schemes have been approved; and the total cost?
§ Sir J. GILMOURFour catchment boards have submitted five drainage schemes, and of these, four have been approved by the Ministry. The estimated total cost of the approved schemes is £25,800.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSAre we to understand that encouragement is being given to the catchment boards to proceed with drainage schemes?
§ Sir J. GILMOURThe boards must, of course, have regard to the fact that there will be a limited amount of money available and only the most urgent schemes can be proceeded with
§ 22. Mr. WILLIAMSasked the Minister of Agriculture whether the Ouse (Yorks) Catchment Board have yet submitted any proposed schemes to his Department for draining the Doncaster area; and, if so, whether such scheme or schemes have yet been approved?
§ Sir J. GILMOURThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The second part, therefore, does not arise.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSDid I understand the right hon. Gentleman to say that no scheme has been submitted to deal with the Ouse area?
§ Sir J. GILMOURYes, that is so. I understand that the catchment board is considering a scheme.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSIn view of the terrible conditions in that part of South Yorkshire, will the right hon. Gentleman insist on the catchment board doing the job for which they were set up?
§ 23. Mr. WILFRID PALINGasked the Minister of Agriculture whether the Board's inspector, who recently inspected the flooded area in and around Bentley-with-Arksey, has submitted his report; and, if so, whether, as a result of such report, any remedial measures are to be taken to prevent further flooding?
§ Sir J. GILMOURThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, I understand that the Doncaster Area Drainage Board, with whom responsibility for remedial measures rests, have under their consideration a scheme for dealing with the flooding in this area.
§ Mr. PALINGHas the inspector been there, and is he prepared to submit any recommendation to the board to assist them to arrive at a decision?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI understand an inspector has been down.
§ Mr. PALINGHas he submitted any recommendation as to the nature of the work that shall be done?
§ Sir J. GILMOURThat will not arise until a scheme is submitted by the board and goes before the Department.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSSeeing that 1,506 people are now rendered homeless and that this board has been in existence for at least 2¼ years, does not the right hon. Gentleman think it is the duty of the Department to insist on the board doing the job for which they were set up?
§ Sir J. GILMOURThat must be r matter for the board.
§ 24. Mr. PALINGasked the Minister of Agriculture whether any schemes have been submitted to his Department by the Doncaster Area Drainage Board dealing with drainage in that area and, if so, what is the estimated cost of such schemes; and whether they have yet been approved?
§ Sir J. GILMOUROne scheme has been submitted to the Ministry by the Doncaster Area Drainage Board. The estimated total cost of the scheme is £300, but I have been unable to approve a grant in respect of this expenditure.
§ Mr. PALINGDoes that mean that the scheme has been turned down?
§ Sir J. GILMOURYes, so far us regards a Government grant.
§ Mr. PALINGIn view of the fact that this is the only scheme that is being put forward to deal with the flooding, is the Ministry going to take any steps to see that the question is dealt with?
§ Sir J. GILMOURThis particular scheme was judged on its merits and was turned down.
§ Mr. PALINGIn view of the flooding that has occurred where 1,500 people have been turned out of their houses, if this scheme cannot be approved, will the Minister insist on something being done?
§ Sir J. GILMOURThe hon. Member must realise, as I have already stated in reply to previous questions, that until a further scheme from the Doncaster area comes before the Ministry I can express no views.
§ Mr. PALINGI beg to give notice that I will call attention to the matter on the first opportunity.