52. Mr. Vaneasked the Minister of Agriculture what changes are now contemplated in the responsibility of the Agricultural Land Service for drainage and water supplies.
Mr. T. WilliamsAs a matter of Departmental convenience, it was recently decided that work in the counties in connection with grant-aided schemes of field drainage and water supply should come under the general direction of the assistant county agricultural officer (executive). No change is contemplated in the responsibilities of the Agricultural Land Service for giving advice on field drainage and water supplies so far as these affect estate management.
Mr. VaneDoes the right hon. Gentleman's reply mean that the Land Service has full responsibility for farm water supplies and field drainage, or is it only question of giving advice?
Mr. WilliamsThe county agricultural officer now becomes the person responsible for the kind of drainage referred to by the hon. Member and the estate agent member of the county executive committee is no longer responsible for that service.
Mr. VaneDoes that reply mean that the right hon. Gentleman has divided the responsibility and now has two people for the job instead of one?