§ Sir H. HOPEasked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that schemes for providing work on water supplies to farms are being sanctioned for England by the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, but are refused for Scotland; and can he take any steps to obtain similar treatment for Scottish counties as is being done in England?
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§ Mr. MUNROI am aware that the unemployment relief measures administered by the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries include works for the provision and improvement of water supplies to farms and that the measures administered by the Board of Agriculture for Scotland do not include such works. On the other hand, I would remind my hon. Friend that the Board's land drainage schemes cover a wider scope of operations than the corresponding English schemes, and have proved to be a very satisfactory means of dealing with the problem of unemployment in agricultural districts in Scotland. The available evidence does not suggest that in Scotland the inclusion of water supply schemes would have contributed substantially to the solution of the problem. As regards my hon Friend's suggestion, I would point out that the date fixed in each country for the completion of such unemployment works is the 31st May.