24. Mr. Charltonasked the Minister of Agriculture whether any further action has been taken with relation to a combined scheme for the removal of flood risks in the fen counties and the building of a barrage across the Wash?
§ The Minister of Agriculture (Mr. W. S. Morrison)As stated in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for King's Lynn (Mr. Maxwell) on 10th June, the responsibility for the preparation of schemes to secure the fenland districts of the River Great Ouse Catchment Area from flooding rests with the catchment board of that area. I have not yet received any details of the catchment board's proposals, but, as I stated on 12th April last, I have considerable doubt whether a proposal for the construction of a barrage across the Wash would be either practicable or economic.