Mr. De la Bèreasked the Minister of Agriculture in connection with the flooding on the Avon above Tewkesbury, which is avoidable, what action he proposes to take, having regard to the ex- 1304W pensive and elaborate models which have been made by the Ministry in this connection?
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithI have no power to undertake land drainage work, and no models have been made by my Department in connection with work on the River Avon. The River Severn Catchment Board, who are the drainage authority responsible for the stretch of river to which my hon. Friend refers, are engaged in carrying out, with the aid of a grant from my Department, a scheme of work which includes the dredging of part of the Avon and the erection of a new sluice at Tewkesbury to increase the discharge capacity of the river.