§ 56. Sir C. Edwardsasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of the hundreds of acres of valuable land between Newport, Monmouthshire, and the Severn Junction which is more or less permanently under water; who claims to own this land; and whether he will take power to compel them to adopt a system of drainage which will bring this land into cultivation again, or take over this land on behalf of the nation and undertake whatever work may be necessary to ensure permanent reclamation?
§ Mr. T. WilliamsMy right hon. Friend is aware of the large area of waterlogged land in this district. Responsibility and full powers for arterial drainage rest with the Caldicot and Wentlooge Level Drainage Board, who have recently succeeded the Monmouthshire Commission of Sewers and are completing three grant-aided schemes of work which were begun by the Commission under the Agriculture Act, 1937. As regards supplementary work, my right hon. Friend will consider whether any action is required under the Defence Regulations. I have no information as to the ownership of the land concerned.