§ 4. Mr. Powellasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he will cause to be drawn up a scheme for Northern Ireland indicating the size and location of areas reclaimable or improvable by land drainage and the phases in which, and the assumptions upon which, the corresponding works are expected to be executed.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesNo, Sir. Since 1947 the Northern Ireland Department of 631 Agriculture has been carrying out a Province-wide programme of river drainage, which is now about three-quarters complete. The initiative in field drainage rests with the farmers and other landowners.
§ Mr. PowellNotwithstanding that record, does not the right hon. Gentleman think that it would be valuable, particularly for the purposes of securing more public interest and understanding, if a long-term view were presented of the potentialities and the methods of agricultural land drainage in the Province as a whole?
§ Mr. ReesI take it that the right hon. Gentleman is suggesting that a presentational case should be made to explain what is to be done and to show the community what needs to be done. I shall certainly consider that suggestion. Perhaps the right hon. Gentleman could have a word with me about it or with my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State who is responsible. There is a great deal of leeway to make up. Much of what has happened in Northern Ireland is linked with names. On this side of the water, land drainage was started by Sir Robert Peel in the early 1840s. That did not happen in Northern Ireland, which is curious in view of Sir Robert Peel's involvement with Northern Ireland. Temporary and long-term measures need to be taken. If the right hon. Gentleman will have a word with us about any particular issue he has in mind, at the top end of the Laggan Valley or in the upper reaches of the Bann, we shall do what we can. I must stick to the plan that is being followed.
§ Mr. FarrIn considering these plans, will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that EEC money is available for these schemes? Will he make sure that an application is made to the EEC for consideration?