§ 54 and 55. Captain De Chairasked the Minister of Agriculture (1) what action was taken by the Norfolk W.A.E.C. to see that the owners of land through which the River Wissey flows and the tenant farmers on its banks, kept the river and ditches clear, before taking the sudden action which resulted in this river being drastically dredged by the Ouse Catchment Board;
(2) why it was necessary to carry out a major dredging operation on the River Wissey in Norfolk, bringing up the gravel bottom and dumping it along the banks with devastating results to the amenities, when a normal clearance of the weeds and mud would have achieved the necessary degree of drainage?
§ The Minister of Agriculture (Mr. R. S. Hudson)I am advised that an effective increase in food production from lands adjoining the upper reaches of the River Wissey could not be secured without removal of flint, gravel and other obstructions from the river bed by dredging: that the partial action suggested by my hon. and gallant Friend was accordingly not taken; and that whilst some loss of amenity was unavoidable it has been kept to a minimum and is confidently expected to be temporary.
§ Captain De ChairIs the right hon. Gentleman trying to convert this stream into another Hudson River?