§ 21. Mr. John MacLeodasked the Secretary of State for Scotland when legislation is to be introduced to deal with drainage in a comprehensive manner in the Highlands of Scotland.
§ The Joint Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. Niall Macpherson)My hon. Friend will appreciate that drainage problems in Scotland are not confined to the Highlands. Discussions are still proceeding but I am not able to forecast when legislation may be possible.
§ Mr. MacLeodCould the Joint Under-Secretary of State say why there is this interminable delay? Recent floods would have been much less severe had there been a comprehensive scheme. This matter has been discussed many times in the House in the past few years. When is the Minister going to take some action?
§ Mr. MacphersonAs has been repeatedly said in the House, the difficulty is to get agreement between the parties interested.