§ Mr. Hurdasked the Minister of Agriculture what action he is taking to prevent the recurrence of floods in the non-tidal portion of the Thames.
§ Mr. T. WilliamsThe responsible body for the non-tidal portion of the Thames, is24W the Thames Conservancy Catchment Board, an autonomous local authority set up under the Land Drainage Act, 1930. Flooding in the Thames Valley is caused by direct overflow and is due to the normal river channel being inadequate to accommodate the volume of a flood. There is, however, a natural flood plain on either side of the river which provides a passage for the flood waters. Most of the damage and inconvenience which arises in urban areas during times of flood is a result of uncontrolled development on the flood plain. The Catchment Board is in touch with the local planning authorities and will advise them on future building development in their areas in relation to land drainage, including the areas which should not be built up because of their liability to be flooded.