§ 1. Mr. Awberyasked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware that the silt thrown up by floods on river banks is frequently thrown back into the stream, filling up the channel way; and if he will give instructions that this practice should be discontinued.
§ The Minister of Agriculture (Sir Thomas Dugdale)I am not aware of such a practice, but if the hon. Member will let me have details of any specific case I will have investigations made.
§ Mr. AwberyIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that when I put a Question down last week about the dredging of our rivers I received letters from people stating that they had seen this being done? Will he ensure that silt is taken away and not thrown back, thus making rivers shallower?
§ Sir T. DugdaleAll river and inland drainage boards have byelaws to prohibit the discharge into watercourses of solid matter which will impede the flow of water. Boards can prosecute offenders in a court of summary jurisdiction for contravening the byelaws.
§ Mr. AwberyWill the right hon. Gentleman inquire into this and ensure that our rivers are dredged? My information is that large numbers of rivers are not dredged at all and are thus unable to carry away flood water.
§ Sir T. DugdaleThat is another question, but if the hon. Member will give me details of any specific cases I will examine them.
§ Mr. EdeDoes not the ordinary course of nature bring silt down to the rivers, quite apart from people throwing articles into them?
§ Sir T. DugdaleYes, Sir.