HC Deb 30 June 1955 vol 543 c489
32. Mr. T. Williams

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether the Government have yet reached any conclusions on the Report of the Heneage Committee; and when legislation is likely to be introduced to give effect to the recommendations.

Mr. Amory

No, Sir. I will make a statement as soon as I can.

Mr. Williams

I do not want to hurry the right hon. Gentleman because I know that it is only five years since this Committee reported, but has he any idea when, perhaps, the Government will have made up their minds?

Mr. Amory

I know that the right hon. Gentleman realises what a very complicated and very controversial question this is, and I think that even he found it impossible to reach a snap decision on this matter.

Mr. Williams

While I agree with the right hon. Gentleman as to the complexity of the problem, may I ask if he is aware that there are thousands of tenants in small cottage properties paying many shillings a week for drainage rates when they are deriving no benefit at all under the existing drainage law?

Mr. Amory

I know, and I also know that there are many what one might call intermediate water courses in this country which are at present unprovided for.