§ 28. Sir ERNEST SHEPPERSONasked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware that the Great Ouse Catchment Board is proposing to make certain by-laws against the interests of the internal drainage authorities within that catchment area, and that under these proposed bylaws the internal drainage authorities may lose the entire control of their pumping plants and main watercourses, the efficient maintenance and unfettered working of which is essential to the safety from flooding of the agricultural land within those internal drainage districts; and whether he has reached a decision as to confirming these by-laws?
§ Captain Sir GEORGE BOWYERI have been asked to reply. My right hon. Friend is aware that the Great Ouse Catchment Board are contemplating making by-laws under Section 47 of the Land Drainage Act, 1930, but they have not yet been submitted to him for confirmation, and consequently no decision has been reached?
§ Sir E. SHEPPERSONBefore coming to a decision to confirm these by-laws, will the right hon. Gentleman take into consideration the undertaking given to me during the passage of that Act through the House, that in no circumstances would the catchment board interfere with the working of an efficient internal drainage district; and is he aware that that undertaking facilitated the passage of the Bill through the House of Commons?
§ Sir G. BOWYERI can only advise my hon. Friend to have a talk with my right hon. Friend, in view of those circumstances.