§ Mr. Richard BodyI beg leave to present a petition on behalf of 1,000 of my constituents of Moulton, Crowland, Holbeach, Long Sutton, Sutton Bridge, Whaplode, Holbeach St. John's and parts of Spalding, who have been subjected to a 100 per cent. or nearly 100 per cent. increase in their rates.
The petition is a long one, but the essence of it is that the rate increases that have been necessary in all parts of the country have been aggravated in the Fens of Holland because in that area we also have to pay a drainage rate to provide for the drainage of the water that comes down from what we call the high country, those other areas whose rainfall goes through the Fens to reach the Wash. These drainage charges are fixed in proportion to the ordinary rates.
886 The petition also urges that the sewerage element should not be paid in areas in which no main drainage is available.
§ To lie upon the Table.