HC Deb 15 November 1951 vol 493 cc1161-2
58. Mr. Geoffrey de Freitas

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will introduce legislation to enable a rating authority to spread the drainage rate, as recommended in paragraph 94 of the Report of the Land Drainage Legislation Sub-Committee of the Central Advisory Water Committee.

Sir T. Dugdale

Consultations are proceeding with the various interests affected by the recommendations in this report. When these consultations are completed, I shall be able to decide whether or not legislation should be introduced.

Mr. de Freitas

Is the Minister aware of the very great hardship which is suffered under the present rating system in drainage areas, and will he do everything he can to speed up the consideration of this Report?

Sir T. Dugdale

I must wait until I receive recommendations from the people who are to be consulted about the Report.

Major H. Legge-Bourke

Will my right hon. and gallant Friend bear in mind, in view of that last supplementary question, that many of these matters concern many associations engaged in the administration of water channels in the country, that they are very complicated and will take some considerable time? May I therefore ask him not to press the matter too hard?