§ Sir John Stradling ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he proposes to deal with the question of drainage rates and the relationship of the internal drainage boards' finance and membership in relation to district councils.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerThe Internal Drainage Board (Finance) Regulations 1990, which came into force on 24 January, make provision both for the financing arrangements for internal drainage boards and for the membership of these boards. Each internal drainage board is given power to raise its expenses by means of a drainage rate on the agricultural sector, and special levies on the charging authorities, within its area. The regulations provide that the composition of each board should. broadly reflect the relative financial contributions of the agricultural and non-agricultural sectors to its expenditure. Members representing the agricultural sector will continue to be elected or otherwise qualify as at present. Those representing the non-agricultural sector will be appointed by the district councils.