§ 39. Mr. Willeyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he proposes to take, in view of the losses suffered by some soft fruit growers owing to severe flooding.
§ 43. Sir F. Medlicottasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is aware of the losses sustained by soft fruit growers in some parts of the country owing to flooding; and what steps he is taking to provide compensation or other appropriate assistance.
§ Mr. John HareThere has been damage to some soft fruit in some parts of the country, and I have much 573 sympathy with the growers concerned. The risks of such damage are regrettably part of the normal hazards of horticulture, and I am afraid there is no way open to the Government to provide assistance.
§ Mr. WilleyWhile joining the right hon. Gentleman in expressing sympathy with those who have suffered, may I ask him if he will look at this again, because in the case of some small growers this is a calamity? Will he consider the possibility of giving exceptional relief in these circumstances? Will he also survey the drainage arrangements, because allegations have been made that they did not function properly?
§ Mr. HareI will certainly look at what the hon. Gentleman has said, and I am glad that he joins with me in expressing the sympathy which we all obviously feel with those concerned. I wish, however, that townsmen would realise that this is part of the normal hazards which agriculturists and horticulturists have to face.
§ 40. Mr. G. Jegerasked the Minister of Agriculture. Fisheries and Food whether he is aware of the damage to growing crops caused by flooding in Yorkshire; whether he will make a statement on the extent and value of the losses incurred; and what proposals he has for the protection of land in the future.
§ 42. Mr. Hurdasked the Minister of Agriculture. Fisheries and Food what survey he has made of the crop losses suffered in the recent floods; and what relief funds are available to assist those hardest hit.
§ Mr. John HareRecent excessive rainfall with violent thunderstorms has caused flooding and damage to crops. The flooded area comprises some 12,000 acres of mainly arable land in Lincolnshire, about 3,000 acres mainly grassland in Yorkshire, together with small acreages in the Great Ouse and Trent areas. In addition, there has been widespread water-logging in Eastern England. The extent of the damage cannot be properly assessed until the land has dried out.
With regard to my hon. Friend's Question, I have the greatest sympathy with those who have suffered, but I am afraid there are no Government funds available to compensate farmers for crop damage. 574 In reply to the point raised by the hon. Member for Goole (Mr. G. Jeger) on the future protection of land affected, my engineers have already been discussing remedial measures with the Drainage Authorities concerned, who are, of course, responsible.
§ Mr. JegerDoes the right hon. Gentleman realise that there have been considerable losses in corn, potatoes and root crops due to the flooding of land in Yorkshire, although he minimises what happened in Yorkshire? Does he not also realise that had the remedial measures for which we have been pressing ever since the last disastrous floods in 1956 been introduced, much of the present damage could have been avoided?
§ Mr. HareI do not think the hon. Gentleman is fair in saying that I was underestimating the damage in Yorkshire, because I gave a factual reply. In fact, my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary made a detailed tour of Lincolnshire this week and has given me a firsthand account of the damage. I regret that there is no way open to me to give the particular relief to which my hon. Friend refers.
§ Mr. HurdIf experience in the course of the next few weeks shows that there are particular areas in which farmers have been extremely hard hit, and in which some local effort is made to raise relief funds, may I ask my right hon. Friend if he will look at the possibility of some support for such funds being provided out of central funds?
§ Mr. HareI would say to my hon. Friend that these are matters for very serious consideration by the local interests concerned. From my past experience in my own county, I think it is likely, and if it is decided that special funds should be raised I think we should give all encouragement to those efforts.
§ Mr. KimballIs my right hon. Friend aware that in 1947 some funds were made available to pay farmers who had suffered serious losses, but that in actual fact the losses today, particularly in Lincolnshire, are far greater because the crops are growing and the potatoes have been sold? Will he not do something more than was done in 1947, and is he also aware of the serious charges floating about concerning a lack of maintenance on the part 575 of certain river boards. Will he see what his engineers can do to try to speed up the maintenance work of river boards?
§ Mr. HareI will certainly do all I can to give further assistance to the river boards with regard to the representation which my hon. Friend has just made. Otherwise, I have nothing further to add to what I have already said in my answer to this Question.
§ Mr. KimballIn view of the very serious problem in Lincolnshire, I hope it will be possible for you, Mr. Speaker, to allocate an Adjournment debate on this subject so that we can straighten out this problem.