§ 26 and 28. Mr. C. Hughesasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what steps he is taking to improve agricultural drainage in England and Wales;
(2) what steps he proposes taking to revise the Medway letter.
§ Mr. GodberConsultations with the interests concerned are still proceeding on the whole problem of finding alternative solutions to the Heneage recommendations for dealing with intermediate watercourses. There has so far been no suggestion in these consultations that the principles of the Medway letter should be changed. My right hon. Friend is not yet in a position to make any statement.
§ Mr. HughesIs the hon. Gentleman not aware that the recommendations of the Heneage Committee have been with his Department since 1951 and that on 5th March last his right hon. Friend, having turned down the recommendations 596 of the Heneage Committee, said he was now having consultations with the associations concerned? Can he say when we are to have some specific information on these matters so that agricultural drainage can be improved?
§ Mr. GodberI would agree that this has been going on a long time, but it is a most difficult problem. It does not mean that the whole of agricultural drainage is being neglected, because in many cases the recommendations of the Heneage Committee do not apply. They apply only to intermediate watercourses. I agree that we must press on with it, and I am sorry we have not arrived at a satisfactory conclusion before, but it is very difficult to get a basis of agreement.