37. Mr. Haslamasked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in considering the amendment of the Land Drainage Act, 1930, he will take into account the grievances of the residents of an area such 23 as Horncastle and district who, owing to the Act, find themselves saddled with a heavy rate burden out of all proportion to any benefits they could receive from drainage operations, either direct or indirect; and whether, in particular, he will consider more direct representation of such areas on the main spending authority or alteration of the basis of assessment of such areas so as to bring the rate into some relationship with benefits received or to make some statutory limitation of rate burden?
§ Mr. W. S. MorrisonAs I indicated during the Debate on the operation of the Land Drainage Act, 1930, in the House on 3rd November last, I am satisfied that a review of the provisions of the Act is necessary. In the course of that review I will consider the points referred to by my hon. Friend.
38. Mr. Haslamasked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the fact that the Third Witham District Internal Drainage Board have not yet considered the question of introducing differential rating into the area under their control in regard to which he reminded them of their powers a year ago, he will again communicate with them and remind them of the powers which they possess under the 1930 Act?
§ Mr. MorrisonI have recently been in communication with the Drainage Board on the question of differential rating, and I understand that the matter was before the board at a meeting held on 28th June, when it was decided to levy a flat rate for the current financial year. In the circumstances, I do not think that any useful purpose would be served at the present stage by communicating again with the Drainage Board.