§ 29. Mr. Patrick Maitlandasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on his discussions about land drainage with local authorities and farmers' and landowners' associations, and about new proposals to deal with the problems which have emerged from a review of his discussions.
§ 32. Lord Malcolm Douglas-Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he will initiate legislation with a view to tackling large drainage schemes in Scotland.
§ Mr. J. StuartDiscussions with interested bodies have not yet been concluded and I am therefore unable to make any statement at present.
§ Mr. MaitlandDoes my right hon. Friend recall his statement in this place on 9th June, when he said he hoped to introduce legislation as soon as possible?
§ Lord Malcolm Douglas-HamiltonIs my right hon. Friend aware that it is most important that we should get on with legislation of this kind? There are hundreds of thousands of acres to be reclaimed in this way for food production.
§ Mr. StuartIt is very simple to say that we should get on with legislation, but we must get some kind of agreement with all the interests concerned.