Land Drainage

HC Deb 26 January 1973 vol 849 cc262-3W

Mr. Hooson

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will now arrange for the financing of land drainage to be made a national charge.

Mr. Gibson-Watt

The Water Bill now before the House provides that land drainage should become a function of the new regional water authorities and, in Wales, of the Welsh National Water Development Authority. It provides also for the continuation of the present system of land drainage finance, based on precepts on local authorities together with a substantial Government grant; but, subject to Ministerial approval, there will be an opportunity to switch to the water charge after 1978.