HC Deb 13 December 1934 vol 296 cc558-9
32. Mr. MOLSON

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can give an assurance that the drainage works on the Lower Don will be pressed forward without delay?

Mr. ELLIOT

As my hon. Friend will remember, the responsibility for carrying out drainage works on the Lower Don was specifically placed upon the Yorkshire Ouse Catchment Board by the Don-caster Drainage Act, 1933, which was passed by Parliament without a Division. The catchment board have been offered a Government grant of 20 per cent. towards the cost of the necessary works on the Lower Don, but I greatly regret that they have now intimated their refusal of this offer, and their intention not to carry out any further works. I cannot, therefore, at the moment give my hon. Friend the assurance he asks for, but I am in communication with the catchment board on the subject, and I will communicate with my hon. Friend as soon as I am in a position to give him any further information.

Mr. HOLDSWORTH

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell the House that the Ministry is prepared to make a more adequate grant towards carrying out this work?

Mr. ELLIOT

The board has been offered a 20 per cent. grant, which in fact the previous board accepted, as the hon. Member knows. In the circumstances, it is impossible to make any such statement as he, desires.

Mr. PALING

Are we to understand that the question is to be raised again and that there is some hope of an increase?

Mr. ELLIOT

No, I think it would be very wrong to assume that. I am in communication with the catchment board on the subject. I certainly could not go any further than that.

Mr. PALING

If it is not possible to raise the grant, can the right hon. Gentleman give the House some statement as to what he intends to do in order to get this very necessary and urgent work done?

Mr. ELLIOT

There is the chance that the sweet reasonableness which has been not unsuccessfully exercised in other quarters will be successful there also.

Mr. MOLSON

Is it not the fact that this grant of 20 per cent. is at least as generous as has been given by the Minister in any other catchment areas?

Mr. ELLIOT

That is the view that we put forward, certainly.

Mr. PALING

In other areas has it not been as much as 60 per cent.?