§ 57. Mr. FREDERICK HALLasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will give particulars of the schemes which were prepared for the river Thames in September, 1931; how much money this scheme was estimated to cost; and what part of it is now being progressed with?
§ Major ELLIOTI have no information as to any schemes prepared for the river Thames in 1931. Certain works on the river Thames and the river Wey are being carried out by the Thames Conservancy and the county councils concerned under schemes approved in 1930 for grant from the Unemployment Grants Committee. These two schemes were estimated to cost respectively £300,000 and £240,000. A scheme for the dredging of the Thames above Oxford estimated to cost £50,000 was sanctioned by the Ministry under its 1929 programme of State-aided land drainage schemes for the relief of the unemployed and is still in progress. If the hon. Member so desires, I will send him information as to the progress of these schemes.
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSWhat are the total Government grants to this scheme?
§ Major ELLIOTI should require notice of that question.
59. Mr. PRICEasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that a scheme for the River Avon, Warwick, was prepared by the catchment area authority and sanctioned by the late Government with a promise of grant; what progress has been made with the scheme; and whether the Government is now prepared to contribute to the cost?
§ 60 and 61. Mr. F. HALLasked the Minister of Agriculture (1) whether he is aware that a scheme for the River Ouse, Yorkshire, was prepared by the catchment area authority and sanctioned by the late Government with a promise of grant; what progress has been made with the scheme; and whether the Government is now prepared to contribute to the cost;
(2) whether he is aware that a scheme for the River Great Ouse was prepared by the catchment area authority and sanctioned by the late Government with a promise of grant; what progress has been made with the scheme; and whether 810 the Government is now prepared to contribute to the cost?
§ 'Major ELLIOTThe answer to the first part of the questions is in the negative. As regards the last part, the position with regard to Government grants is as set out in the reply which I gave on 20th February to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Don Valley (Mr. T. Williams), of which I am sending copies to the hon. Members.
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSAre we to understand that, notwithstanding the terrific floods from which a, great deal of Yorkshire is now suffering, the Government may not be expected to change their minds with regard to grants?
§ Major ELLIOTI do not think that arises out of the question.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSIs it a fact that a scheme has now been produced, and is there any chance that the Government may change their mind with regard to a grant?
§ Major ELLIOTI gave the hon. Gentleman an answer with regard to Government grants on a previous occasion.