HC Deb 12 February 1953 vol 511 cc56-7W
73. Mr. Champion

asked the Minister of Agriculture what steps he is taking to ensure that the best available advice is being given to farmers, whose land has been flooded by sea water, as to cropping their arable land and as to the expected effect on yields from their pastures over this and the next few years.

Sir T. Dugdale

Advice on the restoration of flooded land will be freely available through the National Agricultural Advisory Service and the county agricultural executive committees. Already wide publicity has been given to the importance of clearing ditches at the earliest opportunity, so as to minimise the accumulation of salt in the soil. It has also been stressed that no tillage operations should be attempted until the soil has been examined and analysed, since premature attempts at tillage may have extremely harmful and long-lasting effects on the texture of the soil. The soil analytical service has been organised to deal with large numbers of samples, which will be taken as soon as the land is fit. A start has already been made in the East Riding and in Kent.

Experience in the restoration of flooded farmland on the Island of Walcheren and also in the Dunkirk area provides valuable guidance on the best means of restoration, and this experience will be fully used. In particular, applications of gypsum are known to accelerate the process of restoration. The time required to clear sufficient salt from the land for arable crops to be grown, depends on the length of time the land has been under salt water, the type of soil and the amount of subsequent rainfall. Pastures will be less seriously affected than arable land.

74. Mr. Champion

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will endeavour to secure more troops, amphibious craft and pumps for use in those areas where many thousands of acres of good agricultural land are under sea water.

Sir T. Dugdale

The available resources of men, amphibious craft and equipment of all kinds have been mobilised and are being used in the coastal areas to the maximum practicable extent so that the breaches may be sealed and made secure at the earliest possible moment and the land cleared of sea water.

Mr. Bossom

asked the Minister of Food if he will take emergency measures to provide food for cattle wherever it is required in flooded areas, and for the time being see that delay does not occur owing to owners not possessing any necessary coupons.

Sir T. Dugdale

I have been asked to reply.

All necessary steps have been taken in my Department and the Ministry of Food to release rationed feedingstuffs without delay to farmers requiring them as a result of the recent floods.