§ Sir E. SHEPPERSONasked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware that the proposed by-laws of the Great Ouse Catchment Board are such that the internal district drainage authorities may lose the entire control of their pumping plants and main watercourses; that at a meeting of representatives of these internal drainage authorities held on 19th May a resolution opposing these by-laws was passed; and, in view of this resolution and the assurance given during the 1888W passage of the Land Drainage Act through this House that efficient internal drainage authorities would not be interfered with, will he institute an inquiry or receive a deputation from the internal drainage authorities before confirming these by-laws?
§ Major ELLIOTThe proposed by-laws referred to have not yet been submitted to me by the Catchment Board for confirmation. The Land Drainage Act, 1930, requires that such by-laws shall not be confirmed by the Minister until the expiration of at least one month after public notice of intention to apply for the confirmation has been given by the board. My hon. Friend may rest assured that any objections which may be lodged against the by-laws in question during the prescribed period will have due consideration.