§ 17. Mr. T. WILLIAMSasked the Minister of Agriculture why the proposed grant for capital drainage works in the Don area is proportionately less than grants made for similar works in other areas?
§ Mr. ELLIOTMy hon. Friend will remember that the Land Drainage Act, 1930, although it authorised the Minister to make grants towards expenses incurred by catchment boards in improvement of existing works or construction of new works, did not prescribe the rate or basis of such grant. Every application is, therefore, considered on its merits in accordance with the procedure outlined in the Ministry's circular letter to catchment boards of 24th March last, of which I am sending my hon. Friend a copy. The offer of a grant of 20 per cent. of approved loan charges which was made by the Ministry on 11th October, 1934, to the Yorkshire Ouse Catchment Board has been accepted by the board.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that many county boroughs are still complaining of the smallness of this grant, and, should there be any chance of the work being held up, will he insist on that grant being increased and the work carried out?
§ Mr. ELLIOTThe board have accepted the grant already, and there is no further question. As to complaints of its smallness, I never heard of a case where resolutions were passed about the largeness of a grant.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the county boroughs are meeting at the House and discussing the smallness of the grant?
§ Mr. ELLIOTI have no doubt they are discussing that and the smallness of many other grants.
§ Mr. CHORLTONIf it be possible to combine the drainage scheme with a water supply scheme, will the right hon. Gentleman see that it is done?