HC Deb 08 April 1925 vol 182 cc2256-7W
Lieut.-Colonel HENEAGE

asked the Minister of Agriculture the amount spent on land drainage and coast erosion for England, Scotland and Wales respectively, for each of the last five years, showing separately the amount spent by the rates and by the Exchequer in unemployed or other grants?

Mr. WOOD

I am unable to state the amount spent during the last five years on land drainage and coast erosion out of the rates of the various drainage, harbour, urban or other local authorities in England, Scotland and Wales, but the appended statement shows the amounts spent out of the rates of drainage authorities, and by the Exchequer, respectively, on works of unemployment relief assisted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries during the last four years:

Spent by the Exchequer in grants to Drainage Authorities. Paid, or to be paid, out of rates levied by Drainage Authorities. Spent by the Exchequer in grants to groups of landowners, one-third of which has been or will be recovered from the landowners.
1921–22: £ £ £
England 167,614 69,093 72,968
Wales 1,893 631 6,303
1922–23:
England 179,031 60,639 78,633
Wales 6,807 2,269 6,035
1923–24:
England 134,891 44,964 73,660*
Wales 2,410 803 8,540*
1924–25:
England 149,542 49,852 88,813*
Wales 6,124 2,041 7,056*
* Estimated.
The Board of Agriculture for Scotland have also incurred the following expenditure in respect of drainage schemes for unemployment relief:—

£
1922–23 16,577
1923–24 36,969
1924–25 32,523