§ Mr. Patrick Maitlandasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has now received from the District Councils' Association asking to be given powers to repair, maintain, strengthen or protect any river bank to which the public has access to prevent erosion or flooding; what steps he proposes to take; and which area authorities have notified him of their continued opposition to legislation in regard to drainage and flood-prevention schemes.
§ Mr. J. StuartRepresentations to the effect that district councils should be empowered to protect river banks to 23W which the public has access have been received and have been noted. Even if new legislation were necessary for this purpose, however, such powers would not in themselves provide a satisfactory solution of the problem of flood prevention. With regard to the last part of the Question, no notification of the kind mentioned has been made to me; but discussions have revealed the difficulty of securing the measure of agreement that would be necessary for comprehensive land drainage legislation.