§ Sir C. MORRISON-BELLasked the Prime Minister whether, among the proposals now being considered by the Government for the relief of unemployment, he will consider the investigation and execution of works intended to minimise the disastrous inundations to which this country is increasingly subject; and, if not, whether he will devote attention to the matter?
§ Mr. BUXTONI have been asked to reply. The unemployment relief schemes in respect of land drainage which have been carried out at the instance of the Ministry during the past three winters, and which are to be continued next autumn, have undoubtedly tended to minimise not only flooding in inland areas, but also inundations from the sea, notably on the East and South coasts. Apart from this, however, since the passing of the Land Drainage Act, 1918, the Ministry has endeavoured, by the establishment of competent authorities, to secure the improvement of the rivers of the country, so as to minimise, as far as is possible, the effect of inundations such as that which recently occurred in Worcestershire.