HC Deb 21 April 1947 vol 436 cc607-8
57. Mrs. Leah Manning

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will institute a public inquiry to determine the cause and prevention of flooding in the valleys of the Lea and the Stort.

Mr. T. Williams

With my hon. Friend's permission I propose to answer this Question in general terms. My Department is in close touch with the flood situation in all areas, and is collecting all possible evidence as a basis for future policy and planning. Engineers will no doubt be asked to present detailed reports to their catchment boards as soon as they are free of their present urgent preoccupation with the reinforcement of river banks and the dispersal of water from the flooded areas, and I shall ask boards to present full reports to my Department. After these have been studied, together with the reports of my own officers and have, where necessary, been discussed with the boards concerned, it will be possible to consider whether any form of inquiry, either generally or in any particular case, is necessary or desirable.

Lieut.-Commander Gurney Braithwaite

Is the right hon. Gentleman still intending to place these boards under the Transport Commission?

Major Legge-Bourke

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that, His Majesty's Government having accepted the principle that these floods all over the country have been a national disaster, it is only right that the House should have an opportunity of debating the matter at the earliest possible moment?

Mr. Williams

The hon. and gallant Member should address that question to the Leader of the House.