§ Mr. H. MORRISONasked the Minister of Agriculture whether the Government will renew during the coming winter, the grants for drainage work carried out to relieve unemployment; and whether, in view of the serious defects in the laws affecting land drainage, he will consider taking Parliamentary action with a view to county agriculture committees being invested with powers, subject to an appeal to the Ministry, to compel small minorities of landowners to carry out necessary drainage works under schemes promoted by such committees if they have received the assent of not less than 80 per cent., on a mileage basis, of the landowners interested?
§ Sir R. SANDERSThe subject raised in the first part of the question is at present under consideration by His Majesty's Government. As regards the second part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave on the 23rd instant to the hon. Member for Chippenham (Mr. Bonwick).