§ 11. Mr. Kenneth Carlisleasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will review the methods used for cost benefit analysis of large drainage schemes.
§ Mrs. FennerThe methods used for cost benefit analysis of land drainage schemes are kept under constant review.
§ Mr. CarlisleI am glad to hear that, but does my hon. Friend agree that it is wrong that the subsidy for the drainage scheme and the subsidies for the crops to be grown are both included in the benefit? Is it not true that the inclusion of taxpayers' money in the benefit can shift the balance in favour of the destruction of yet another area of diminishing wetlands and that this cannot be changed because the cost benefit analysis is secret?
§ Mrs. FennerI note my hon. Friend's concern, but he will probably know that the question of publishing the results of the cost benefit analysis relating to individual schemes was discussed in another place. The Government undertook to have the matter of disclosure of the cost benefit assessment included in the consultation paper to be issued on the report of the interdepartmental review of land drainage and coast protection.
§ Mr. HardyI am pleased to hear that the matter may be subject to a review. Does the Parliamentary Secretary accept that the vast majority of individuals and organisations involved and interested in conservation take the view that, until now, the lust to promote an ever-growing cereal surplus seems to have received a much higher priority than the retention and safeguarding of the national heritage?
§ Mrs. FennerI dispute that allegation.
§ Sir Paul HawkinsDoes my hon. Friend realise that if people have not drained their lands by now, they should not still be receiving subsidies? This drainage subsidy has been continuing for far too long.
§ Mrs. FennerI have just pointed out that this matter is under constant review and that an interdepartmental review is being carried out.
§ Mr. KirkwoodIn view of the importance to the so-called disadvantaged areas of drainage and other schemes, will the Parliamentary Secretary give an assurance that she will do all that she can to promote the special resources that the EC proposes to put into these areas?
§ Mrs. FennerThey will form part of our consideration of drainage schemes.