§ 22. Mr. Leeasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of the serious menace to health caused by the overflowing of the River Rother, in South Yorkshire and North Derbyshire, by which houses are being inundated whenever there is a heavy rainfall; and what steps are being taken to remedy this?
§ Mr. W. S. MorrisonI am aware that there has recently been flooding in the upper reaches of the River Rother, which has affected houses built, according to my information, on land liable to flooding. The responsible authority for flood prevention in that area is the River Ouse (Yorks.) Catchment Board, and the Board are at present carrying out a comprehensive scheme of remedial works for the River Don, its tributaries, and other rivers at an estimated cost of nearly £1,200,000, with the aid of a grant of 33⅓ per cent. from the funds at my disposal. The catchment board are obliged first to deal with the lower reaches of the Don, and the carrying out of works on the Upper Rother must, therefore, depend to a large extent upon the completion of the works on the Lower Don designed to secure an adequate outfall. I understand, however, that certain discussions have taken place between the catchment board and the Rotherham Rural District Council with regard to possible works at Catcliffe and that the Board are awaiting certain proposals from the council with regard to the disposal of sewage and surface water.
§ Mr. LeeCan the right hon. Gentleman give us any idea when the catchment board will get to North Derbyshire?
§ Mr. MorrisonThat is a matter for the catchment board. The present problem in this area is that of so improving the outfall that remedial works undertaken higher up will have their full effect.