§ 7. Sir MURDOCH McKENZIE WOODasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many schemes of drainage works have been undertaken by the Department of Agriculture under the Land Drainage (Scotland) Act, 1930; and if he can give the cost and other particulars of the works completed or proposed?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for SCOTLAND (Sir Godfrey Collins)Owing to the financial stringency it has not been possible to undertake a comprehensive programme of arterial drainage works, but the Department have prepared and settled in terms of Section 3 (4) of the Act a scheme for improving the drainage of lands extending to 1,786 acres in the catchment area of the River Annan. The cost of carrying out that scheme is estimated at £5,400 and the amount to be recoverable in respect of the benefit to the lands affected is estimated at £4,071.
§ Sir M. WOODCan my right hon. Friend say whether it is the policy of the Government to encourage schemes of this nature?
§ Sir G. COLLINSI am afraid that there are no further sums available during the present year.