Mr. ROBINSONasked the Minister of Agriculture what national work is being done on land drainage; and the number of men transferred from distressed areas employed thereon?
Mr. GUINNESSSchemes of land drainage are not initiated by the Government but by county councils or drainage authorities. Since the Government announced its decision to give financial assistance to drainage schemes with the object of securing the transference of labour from depressed areas, a number of schemes have been definitely sanctioned or approved in principle, subject to examination of details when submitted. Much preliminary work, however, including the selection of the labourers and the provision of accommodation, has to be done before the actual drainage work can be started.