§ 52. Mr. Rentonasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that the Great Ouse Catchment Board are attempting to make the members of the proposed Bluntisham Internal Drainage and District Board pay 50 per cent. of heavy charges outstanding on the land in respect of drainage works which do not benefit and are not necessary to the land; what increase in the productivity of the land is assumed to result from the said drainage works; and whether he will take steps to ensure that the land is disencumbered from these charges, most of which were imposed upon it without the consent of the owners or occupiers affected by them.
§ Mr. T. WilliamsWorks were carried out by the Catchment Board both in the existing district, in default of the drainage board, and also, under wartime powers, on land adjoining that district. A scheme to include all these lands in a reconstituted district has been confirmed, but objections have been made 5W and discussions are taking place to see how far they can reasonably be met. If the objections are maintained the scheme can only come into operation with the approval of Parliament. Half the cost of the works, from which the district has undoubtedly derived benefit, has been met by Government grant. The Catchment Board, in an endeavour to help, has offered to meet half of the remaining cost of works done in the existing district, and which would otherwise fall on owners and occupiers therein.