§ 56. Mr. MAITLANDasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has now been able further to consider the representations in regard to the heavy land drainage rates now being levied by the Lower Medway Drainage Board in the Isle of Sheppey; and whether there is any way in which his Department will assist in the matter by Government grants or otherwise?
§ The MINISTER of AGRICULTURE (Mr. Elliot)As I have already informed my hon. Friend, I have no authority to intervene in a dispute between a drainage board and its ratepayers. In November last, I confirmed a differential rating 1124 order under the provisions of which a portion of the Isle of Sheppey is now rated at one-third of the rate levied on the remainder of the drainage district. I understand that the drainage board have decided to submit for my confirmation a second differential rating order which will have the effect of relieving the greater part of the town of Sheerness of a portion of the rates for which it is now liable. My Department is making a grant of 33⅓ per cent. towards the capital cost of a scheme of work submitted by the catchment board for the reconditioning of the Upper Medway, which is estimated to cost £144,000. Within the last week an offer of a grant has been made of the same percentage towards a second scheme, estimated to cost £275,000, for the reconditioning of the Lower Medway.
§ Mr. MAITLANDCan the Minister say how much of the amount which he last mentioned is to be spent on the Isle of Sheppey, and on Sheerness in particular?
§ Mr. ELLIOTI understand that about £30,000 of the cost of the second scheme will be spent on the sea defences of the Isle of Sheppey, and of this about £10,000 will be devoted to sea defences round the town of Sheerness itself.
§ Mr. PALINGWill the right hon. Gentleman make the same percentage offer to the Doncaster drainage scheme?