§ 55. Mr. Mitchisonasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that soon after serious flooding in 1947 a scheme was prepared by the River Nene Catchment Board for cleaning out the River Ise above and below Geddington, and that work on the scheme was begun, but discontinued; and whether he will sanction completion of the scheme now or take other immediate steps to get that part of the river cleaned out, so as to obviate the risk of flooding after any extensive rainfall.
§ Mr. G. BrownA scheme was approved in 1945—not 1947—and work was put in hand. In September last an extension was approved and this work is now being started. I understand that the catchment board will shortly submit a further scheme to the Department with an application for grant aid. This will be considered as soon as it is received.
§ Mr. MitchisonIs my hon. Friend aware that there is some urgency in cleaning this river at this point because otherwise, in the event of excessive rainfall, there will be considerable damage through floods?
§ Mr. BrownWe are well aware of the urgency of the matter, but I would remind my hon. Friend that there are two schemes, or at least one and an extension of it, and the work has already been put in hand.
§ Major Legge-BourkeCan the hon. Gentleman give an assurance that delay in implementing this scheme has not been caused by delay in giving a decision about amalgamation or separation of the two catchment boards, the Nene and the Welland?
§ Mr. BrownWith regard to the second part of the supplementary question, that is a matter which, I think, is irrelevant to this Question. In the first part of the supplementary question, the hon. Gentleman missed the whole point of my answer. There has been, in fact, no delay. The scheme has been approved and is being carried out.