HC Deb 26 November 1942 vol 385 cc873-4
51. Sir Stanley Reed

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been drawn to a case, particulars of which were sent to him, where a war agriculture committee and a conservancy board, acting under the instructions of his Ministry, carried out costly drainage works without consultation with, or advice to, the landlords who will have to pay the cost; and whether he will discourage in the future any such use of the Agriculture (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1940?

Mr. Hudson

I do not regard the two drainage schemes to which my hon. Friend refers as costly in relation to the area of land affected. The landowners concerned, who will be liable for half the cost, were duly notified before the work began. In my view the action taken was perfectly proper.

Sir S. Reed

Does the right hon. Gentleman approve of these works being carried out, although they may be necessary and useful, without the landowners having even been notified that they are to be undertaken, especially when so many landowners are serving in the Forces?

Mr. Hudson

This particular scheme was not carried out before the landowners were notified. In any case authority to take that action was given me by this House in an Act passed last year.