§ 66. Mr. P. Thomasasked the Minister of Agriculture if he still intends to proceed under Section 84 of the Agriculture Act, 1947, with the compulsory acquisition of the Malltraeth Marsh in Anglesey.
§ 67. Mr. C. Hughesasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he still intends to proceed with the acquisition of Malltraeth 108W Marsh, Anglesey, under the provisions of Section 84 of the Agriculture Act, 1947.
§ 77. Mr. Bowenasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that the farming community in North Cardiganshire are opposed to the acquisition by him of Borth Bog but are anxious that he should give every assistance in helping individual farmers to maintain and improve existing drainage facilities; and if he will make a statement as to his intentions in this regard.
§ Sir T. DugdaleI have carefully studied the report on Malltraeth Marsh submitted to my predecessor by the Welsh Agricultural Land Sub-Commission and the more recent report on Borth Bog. I recognise the care with which the Sub-Commission carried out their investigations, and the weight to be attached to their findings; but I have had to consider their proposals in the light of the present strain on our national resources as well as of the particular problems of these areas. I have decided that the heavy capital expenditure required to buy and equip the land would not be justified in present circumstances, and I do not intend to proceed with these projects. As regards the drainage of both areas, which the reports show to be one of the main problems, the North-West Wales River Board has now become directly responsible for the sea defences and the main channels in the Marsh and the Bog, and will no doubt also take such action as may be necessary to ensure the reasonable maintenance of the drainage systems generally.