§ 63. Mr. O. Pooleasked the Minister of Agriculture if he will set up a local public inquiry into the annual flooding of good agricultural land at Llandrinio, Montgomeryshire and Melverley, Shropshire.
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§ Mr. T. WilliamsI am fully aware that abnormal weather has now caused flooding in this part of the Severn Valley in three successive years. My Department is in close touch with the Catchment Board, and I am satisfied that the board is fully seized of the problems and needs of the area. Indeed, works are already in progress and further projects have been or are being submitted to my Department for sanction, one of which is about to be approved. Whilst I have the fullest sympathy with the people in the area affected, I do not think a public inquiry would serve any useful purpose.