45. Lieut.-Colonel Geoffrey Clifton-Brownasked the Minister of Agriculture what progress has been made in repairing the damage to Fen banks during the past two months; and when repair work will begin in the Lakenheath Great Fen area.
§ The Minister of Agriculture (Mr. Thomas Williams)I assume that the hon. and gallant Member is referring to embankments in the River Great Ouse Catching Area. The Catchment Board has let contracts amounting to over £150,000 for the restoration and, in some cases, improvement of damaged embankments. In addition, they are employing directly some 500 men, 40 dragline excavators and ancillary plant on other rehabilitation works. The assembly of plant began in the Lakenheath Fen last month, and rehabilitation work started early this month.
Lieut.-Colonel Clifton-BrownHow quickly does the right hon. Gentleman expect that progress to be made in the Lakenheath area? The months ahead of us in which work can be done are very few, and by last week there were no machines working in that area at all.
§ Mr. WilliamsI understand work was started on this in the early part of this month.
§ Major Legge-BourkeIs the Minister aware that the contractors working on the 100 ft. river are finding difficulty in getting their barges afloat; and will he look into the possibility of getting floating dredgers in order to ensure that the barges can be used?
§ Mr. WilliamsAs the hon. and gallant Member must know, we are very willing to give all the assistance we can, by 21 equipment or, indeed, anything else. If any shortcoming is made known to us we will certainly try to help.