§ 56. Mr. Osborneasked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware that the increase in drainage rates is causing considerable dissatisfaction to the marsh farmers; and if he will consider the formation of a catchment board for North-East Lincolnshire so as to spread the burden over a wider field.
§ Mr. T. WilliamsI have received very few complaints about any increases in drainage rates necessitated by the extensive land drainage works carried out in wartime for the benefit of the districts concerned and I believe the value of such work, carried out with the aid of Government grant, is generally recognised by the persons affected. With regard to the second part of the Question, I am giving further consideration to the administration of land drainage in the North-East Lincolnshire area, including the question of setting up a catchment board to take over responsibility for the main watercourses.