HC Deb 21 February 1957 vol 565 cc574-5
18. Mr. G. Jeger

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is aware of the successful activities of other countries in land drainage and flood prevention; and whether he will facilitate, by the provision of grants in aid or otherwise, visits by British farmers to see what has been achieved in Continental countries.

Mr. Amory

I am aware of the land drainage and flood prevention work being done on the Continent. If British farmers wish to visit the Continent to see what has been done, my Department would be ready to advise them, but I am not empowered to give any financial assistance.

Mr. Jeger

Would the right hon. Gentleman say exactly what advice he would give, because farmers know, as he knows perfectly well, that magnificent land reclamation work has been done in Holland? What they want is some assistance in going to Holland, if possible arranged between his Department and the equivalent department in the Netherlands, so that there could be sponsored visits under the auspices of Government Departments?

Mr. Amory

The advice that I should be glad to give them would be as to where they would be most likely to see developments of interest to them, and I would make any arrangements I could with the Dutch authorities or any other Continental authorities with which they washed to make contact. A deputation from the River Boards' Association visited Holland in 1955, and my own drainage engineers and water supply engineers are in very close contact with their Continental colleagues.

Mr. Champion

While recognising that the Dutch have much to teach us in this connection, may I ask whether it would not be better for the Minister to put the Heneage Report into operation?

Mr. Amory

The hon. Gentleman knows that in many ways I should very much like to do that, but there are many practical difficulties.