§ 31. Mr. Wingfield Digbyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether, in view of the recent flooding in the West Country, he will take steps to make river boards responsible for rivers up to their sources and not only for the lower reaches.
§ Mr. SoamesIt is open to river boards to take over rivers up to their sources, and some have already made themselves responsible for upper reaches of rivers. The Land Drainage Bill now before the House proposes to increase their resources for this purpose.
§ Mr. Wingfield DigbyIs my right hon. Friend aware that there has been a great deal of doubt about these upper reaches that are largely responsible for the recent flooding, and that the Bill really implements the recommendations of a report made ten years ago? Things have changed since then. Will my right hon. Friend take this into account and make Amendments to his new Bill?
§ Mr. SoamesDoubtless, my hon. Friend will make such suggestions when the Bill is debated in the House.