HC Deb 16 April 1953 vol 514 cc358-9
21. Mr. G. Thomas

asked the Minister of Agriculture what reply he has sent to the letter from the Cardiff Naturalists' Society concerning the scheme proposed by the Glamorgan Rivers Board for the dredging of the River Ely.

Sir T. Dugdale

The President of the Society has been told that the contents of his letter will be borne in mind when the river board's proposals are being examined.

Mr. Thomas

Will the Minister ensure that the plant life of this area is protected as far as possible by the new proposals?

Sir T. Dugdale

Yes, Sir. I should like to tell the House that the Nature Conservancy will be consulted before any scheme is approved by my Department and to explain that the technical consideration of the scheme has been delayed because of the preoccupation of my land drainage engineers with East Coast defences.

Mr. Gower

Will the Minister bear in mind the many representations which I have forwarded to him? Will he note that those representations come from all kinds of people, including anglers, farmers, agriculturists, nature lovers and ordinary people?

Sir T. Dugdale

Yes, Sir.

Mr. Anthony Greenwood

Will it be the Minister's general practice to consult the Nature Conservancy before dredging schemes of this kind are undertaken in the country?

Sir T. Dugdale

I do not think I can go further in answer to the Question on the Order Paper.