§ 1. Mr. Ellis Smithasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he will cause an investigation to be made into the cause of the flooding created by the Longton Brook in the City of Stoke-on- Trent, the damage done in houses, on land and roads, with a view to the payment of compensation from public funds to the occupiers of houses who have suffered through the floods.
The Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs (Mr. HenryBrooke): No, Sir; this a matter for the city council, which, I understand, is preparing urgently a scheme for the alleviation of this flooding and will submit it for my approval as soon as it can. As regards the last part of the Question, I am not aware of any provision under which compensation to householders could properly be paid from public funds.
§ Mr. SmithDoes not that mean that compensation can be paid extravagantly to well-placed, rich officers in the Army and the Navy but that ordinary people who produce the coal with which the nation carries on must be left in this position?
§ Mr. BrookeI cannot speak of the much wider issues which the hon. Member has raised. He asked me a Question. and I told him the facts so far as I am aware of them.