§ 7. Mr. Whitlockasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he will make a statement about the proposed improvement scheme to alleviate flooding in Nottingham from the River Leen.
§ Mr. Scott-HopkinsMy right hon. Friend hopes to be able to give a decision on the river board's proposals for the improvement of the River Leen within the next two weeks.
§ Mr. WhitlockDoes not the hon. Gentleman realise that the Minister has had the Trent River Board proposals for eighteen months? Why all this lengthy delay? Does the hon. Gentleman further realise that in my constituency there are people who have suffered from flooding 5 more than once and who daily dread another catastrophe? Will he persuade his right hon. Friend to stop behaving like a broody hen and to put forward proposals which will end for ever the threat to property, homes and livelihoods in my constituency?
§ Mr. Scott-HopkinsAs I have said, the decision should be given within two weeks. I should have thought that that would satisfy the hon. Gentleman. It is an extremely costly scheme, which is why some time has had to be taken in deciding.