§ Mr. Awberyasked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware that little dredging takes place on many of our rivers, with a consequent rise of the beds: and what steps are being taken to remove the silt, so that the channel way will be capable of carrying away flood waters and prevent the flooding of low-lying countryside.
§ Mr. NugentMy right hon. Friend is satisfied that adequate maintenance work is carried out on watercourses for which river boards and drainage boards have accepted responsibility The problem of improving and maintaining other watercourses is one which was investigated by the Heneage Committee, whose Report is under consideration.
§ Mr. Bossomasked the Minister of Agriculture what steps he is taking to ensure that the ditches in agricultural areas that have been seriously flooded are cleared as quickly as possible, as the farmers themselves, in a great many cases, are incapable of doing this.
§ Sir T. DugdaleI am giving most urgent attention to the clearance of94W ditches and dykes in the flooded areas. I hope to make satisfactory arrangements very shortly.