§ 3. Mr. McKinlayasked the Secretary of State for Scotland the reason for the continued flooding in the Kelvin Valley.
Mr. JohnstonA full investigation of the flooding, which has occurred in the Kelvin Valley notwithstanding improvements effected by the River Kelvin drainage scheme, has been made by an independent engineer of skill and experience in conjunction with the engineers of the Department of Agriculture for Scotland. Their joint reports show that the flooding is due to the abnormally heavy rainfall and discharges in the river, much in excess of those experienced for many years. The most serious flooding was caused by the overflow of tributary streams, and lesser watercourses, not included in the drainage scheme. Backflow through unprotected drainage outlets to the river was a minor contributory cause. The recommendations made in the engineer's report are receiving consideration in consultation with the National Farmers' Union, with a view to determining what further remedial work can most usefully be undertaken under the statutory provisions of the Acts of 1930 and 1935.
§ Mr. McKinlayIs my right hon. Friend aware that he himself was the father of the proposal for this scheme; and is there any reason at all why the report of the experts should not have been published long ere this? Is he also aware that farmers in the locality have suffered very heavy losses, not only in one year but every year, because of the flooding of that valley?
Mr. JohnstonThat is not correct. They do not suffer every year, but only in a year when there are abnormal floods. The drainage scheme was designed to mitigate these floods, but abnormal floods, according to the engineer's report, have not been provided against.
§ Mr. McKinlayIs my right hon. Friend aware that that area has been subject to flooding every year since I was a boy—and I know the district well? It is not a question of abnormality at all.