§ 51. Miss Irene Wardasked the Minister of Agriculture if he will detail the river boards established under the 1948 River Boards Act.
Mr. T. WilliamsI would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 27th July last to my hon. Friend the Member for Sedgefield (Mr. Slater), which detailed the 17 river boards which have been constituted. During January and February it is hoped to hold first meetings of eight further boards which will take over their functions on 1st April, 1951.
§ Miss WardCan the right hon. Gentleman say what is the total number of River Boards it is possible to establish?
§ Major Legge-BourkeCould we have an assurance from the Minister that two of the boards being set up in January or February will be separate boards for the Nene and the Welland rivers?
Mr. WilliamsI could not give the hon. and gallant Member the assurance for which he asks, and he knows perfectly well why.
§ Mr. David RentonIs the Minister aware that the Rivers (Prevention of Pollution) Bill is meaningless until we know what angling representatives there will be on the river boards? Will Ito therefore see that the information is given to us before the Committee stage is reached?
Mr. WilliamsNo, Sir, I take the view that the river boards are fully representative, and that the anglers' associations are very satisfied with the results of the appointments so far.