§ 27. Mr. COCKSasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has received a, report from his officials on the recent floods in the Trent Valley; and whether he can give an estimate of the number of acres flooded and of the amount of damage sustained in that area?
§ The MINISTER of AGRICULTURE (Sir John Gilmour)I have been kept informed on the subject of the recent floods in the River Trent catchment area. It is estimated that in all some 375,000 acres of land within the catchment area have been flooded. I am unable to give figures as to the amount of damage.
§ Mr. COCKSWill the Minister encourage the local authorities to exercise their powers under the Drainage Act in order to prevent a recurrence of this flooding?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI do not think that there has been any delay on the part of the local authorities in going into their duties.
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSAs the right hon. Gentleman discouraged catchment boards last October, will he now encourage them to get on with the work?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI must have due regard for economy, and I cannot spend money when it is not available.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSDoes the right hon. Gentleman regard it as sound economy for 375,000 acres of land to be flooded?