§ 15. Mr. Rentonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is aware that the village of Earith, Huntingdonshire, is frequently flooded or threatened with floods owing to the Great Ouse River Board's decision not to allow 7 water to pass through the Seven Hole Sluices into the old Bedford River; and what steps he will take to rectify this state of affairs.
§ Mr. NugentI am informed that the Great Ouse River Board, which is the responsible authority, has received no complaints about flooding in the village of Earith, and that the board has never made any decision not to allow water to pass through the Seven Holes Sluice into the old Bedford River.
§ Mr. RentonBut can my hon. Friend explain, then, why it is that he and I have received these complaints? Bearing in mind that in fact the River Great Ouse is often flooded at the village of Earith, while the old Bedford River remains bone dry, should not the Seven Hole Sluices be open sometimes?
§ Mr. NugentThe sluice is open and the actual amount of opening has been the same for very many years.
§ Mr. RentonWell, it is time a change was made.