§ Sir W. Jenkinsasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he received a report of the serious recent flooding of the River 723W Afan; whether he will make inquiries of the danger of the colliery refuse tip in the Glyncorrwg village on the Nolton estate, which might become a serious menace to the low-ly-lingdistricts in the valley, to Port Talbot town and docks and railway; and whether he will take steps to erect a retaining wall to prevent the river getting behind the tip?
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithAfter special inquiries into the matters referred to by the hon. Member, I am advised that comparatively little damage was done in the Afan Valley by the flooding caused by excessive rainfall between 6th and 8th July. As regards the colliery refuse tip at Glyncorrwg, I understand that officers of the Port Talbot local authority, the dock authority and the railway company are not satisfied that serious damage is likely to result to their interests if the river is diverted behind the tip. The river at this point is part of the main river of the Mid-Glamorgan Rivers Catchment Board. I have no power to take the action suggested in the last part of the question, but I am communicating with the Catchment Board.