§ 61. Mr. Dyeasked the Minister of Agriculture what schemes of an important capital nature he has received from the North Norfolk Rivers Catchment Board, the East Norfolk Rivers Catchment Board and the River Great Ouse Catchment Board for the protection of agricultural land from flooding by the sea or rivers; and whether he will decide on any system of priority for the different schemes in giving financial assistance.
§ Mr. T. WilliamsI am sending to my hon. Friend, in reply to the first part of the Question, a list of schemes approved but not yet completed and of schemes at present under consideration. I am not clear what my hon. Friend has in mind in the second part of his Question, since the Boards themselves will to a large extent determine priorities in the light of their local knowledge, by deciding what schemes should be submitted to me for approval and the order in which they should be carried out. Whilst I necessarily have regard to the relative importance of schemes submitted to me for approval, any drainage project, however small, which will safeguard or increase food production is of the first importance to the country at the present time.
§ Mr. DyeCan my right hon. Friend say when these authorities will be able to get on with the work of protecting the land from both the sea and the rivers?
§ Mr. WilliamsThat all depends upon the rate at which they send in schemes and at which approval is granted.
§ Major Legge-BourkeWill the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that so far as the Great Ouse scheme is concerned, he will not allow the labour at present concentrated in that area to disperse before the other scheme is approved?
§ Mr. WilliamsI am quite sure that the Catchment Board will not do that if they can prevent it.