HC Deb 16 November 1939 vol 353 cc860-1W
Mr. Kirkwood

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will consider embarking upon an extended campaign to stimulate land drainage, in view of the importance to the nation of utilising, for the production of food, the large tracts of agricultural land which are now under water or subject to frequent flooding?

Sir R. Dorman-Smith

Every effort is being made to press on with land drainage work calculated to facilitate increased food production within a reasonable period of time. The attention of the County War Agricultural Executive Committees has been specially drawn to their powers in respect of land drainage and to the powers of drainage authorities. At the same time drainage authorities have been asked to co-operate to the greatest possible extent with the county committees and are being encouraged to make the fullest possible use of the financial assistance available to them under Part III of the Agriculture Act, 1937.