§ 47. Sir J. Maitlandasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is aware that the Waverley Report recommended grants to assist river boards in maintaining sea defences; and, in view of the fact that the programme of new defences carried out after the floods of 1953 is now becoming a heavy charge on ratepayers for maintenance, if he will now consider taking action on this recommendation.
§ Mr. HoyAlthough the Waverley Report in 1954 recommended grants in suitable cases for maintenance of sea defence works, I am not aware of any sound reason to depart from the accepted principle that grant aid should be restricted to approved expenditure on new works and works of improvement. If the River Boards Association wishes to submit a detailed case for consideration I will of course examine it but it
84Wunder the Silo Subsidies Scheme and £328,275 was paid in subsidy. In 1964 the corresponding figures were 1,667 and £288,765.