§ 26. Mr. G. Jegerasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is aware of the large areas of arable land being flooded through mining subsidence; and whether he will take action to save the land by drainage.
Mr. AmoryI am aware that certain areas of agricultural land are subject to flooding as a result of mining subsidence. Drainage authorities have done something to improve conditions, but as the hon. Member will be aware, this is but one aspect of the complicated problem to which mining subsidence gives rise, and which is at present under consideration by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Fuel and Power.
§ Mr. JegerWill the right hon. Gentleman consult the drainage authorities to see if they can speed up the warping of good arable land so that it can be brought back into cultivation?
Mr. AmoryThe whole question is a most difficult one. The drainage authorities have many responsibilities, and this is only one aspect of them. As the hon. Gentleman knows, the drainage authorities are largely autonomous bodies. Some of them have helped, but I think the problem is a wider one than their responsibilities allow for.