§ Mr. WELLSasked the Minister of Agriculture if he has received the Report of the inquiry held at Cambridge last March respecting the Ouse Drainage Act; and, if so, will he state what recommendations he proposes to make?
§ Mr. BUXTONA preliminary Report of the inquiry has been received dealing with representations made at the inquiry as to the necessity for financial assistance to enable this drainage problem to be dealt with satisfactorily. I am now considering the matter, and hope to arrive at a decision at an early date
§ Mr. WELLSasked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware that, owing to a distraint levied against a ratepayer near Bedford by the Ouse Drainage Board, a feud is likely to arise 'between the upland dwellers and the fen men; and will he therefore instruct the Board to suspend further action until the Ouse Drainage Act has been reconsidered?
§ Mr. BUXTONI am aware that difficulties have arisen in levying rates due to the Ouse Drainage Board, but I am not empowered to intervene in the matter in the manner proposed. As has already been stated by my Department, any Order resulting from the recent inquiry will not affect the legal liability of the Ouse ratepayers in respect of any rate made before such Order comes into operation.