35. Major MILLSasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has any funds 522 available with which he can help needy local authorities to fight coast erosion?
§ Mr. ELLIOTI have no funds at my disposal for the assistance of works designed to prevent coast erosion as such, but in a number of cases catchment boards constituted under the Land Drainage Act, 1930, find it essential to maintain the sea defences in their area for the purpose of preserving the main river system for which they are responsible. In such cases, I am prepared to consider applications from catchment boards for grants under Section 55 of the Act, provided that the works are new works or improvements of existing works. A number of grants have already been sanctioned for this purpose. I have, however, no power to make such grants to local authorities other than catchment boards.