§ 18. Mr. T. WILLIAMSasked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the estimated cost of each of the three floods in Bentley and the Don Valley during the last 18 months; and can he state what progress has been made with any scheme to prevent further floods?
§ Major ELLIOTI am aware that great damage was caused by the floods to which the hon. Member refers and that consequently substantial losses were incurred by persons living within the flooded areas. With regard to the second part of the question, I understand that the Yorkshire Ouse Catchment Board have under consideration a comprehensive drainage scheme for the River Don now that the Doncaster Drainage Bill has passed into law.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSAs the chairman of the local authority estimates that the loss on each of the three occasions was £40,000, will the right hon. Gentleman encourage the Ouse Catchment Board to expedite the provision of a scheme so as to avoid a possible repetition of the floods in the coining autumn?
§ Major ELLIOTYes, I am sure that the Ouse Catchment Board fully realise the great necessity for urgency in the matter.