Mr. MILNEasked the Minister of Agriculture how many of the 596 schemes sanctioned last year by the Government for the relief of unemployment by land drainage have been carried out; what the cost of these schemes has been; and how many further schemes are under consideration?
§ Mr. BUXTONOf the 596 schemes sanctioned as part of the Ministry's unemployment operations during the winter, 1922–23, 473 were land drainage schemes, and 123 were water supply schemes. 432 land drainage schemes and 99 water supply schemes were actually carried out., making a total of 531 schemes, costing £342,400, of which approximately £90,000 is in the process of recovery. With regard to the last2012W part of the question, 352 land drainage schemes and 85 water supply schemes have already been sanctioned as part of the 1923–24 winter's operations, and very many of these are now being carried out. In addition, about 88 schemes are still under consideration.