HL Deb 10 March 1982 vol 428 cc299-300WA
Lord Melchett

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What investigations are carried out by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to ensure that projected benefits of arterial drainage schemes assisted with Government grants actually accrue once the scheme is completed.

The Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Earl Ferrers)

We cannot justify the use of our limited resources to follow up arterial drainage schemes in this way. ADAS advisers keep in close touch with farmers in the benefit area to offer advice as to the best way to exploit the improved drainage. In practice most schemes are carried out in response to requests from farmers for improved drainage.