HC Deb 27 June 1938 vol 337 cc1523-4
36. Mr. Henry Haslam

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of the continued resistance to the payment of rates by land drainage ratepayers of Horncastle and district, where these rates have risen from 1d. in the £ to some 2s. 6d., owing to the operation of the Land Drainage Act, 1930, without any corresponding benefit to the ratepayers concerned; and whether he is in a position to bring about any alleviation of this burden?

Mr. W. S. Morrison

My hon. Friend has sent me a newspaper cutting on this subject. As I have indicated to my hon. Friend, in reply to previous questions, any steps that could effect a reduction in the amount of these rates would have to be taken by the drainage authorities concernd, whose attention I have called to their powers in the matter.

Mr. Haslam

While thanking my right hon. Friend for his answer, may I ask him whether his promise, made early in the Session to amend this Act, is being prosecuted?

Mr. Morrison

I said early in the Session that we wished to amend the Act as soon as possible, and I am at present receiving representations from the various bodies interested as to the Amendments which they think are desirable.

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