HC Deb 15 February 1977 vol 926 cc183-4W
Mr. Watkinson

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many internal drainage boards there are in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Bishop

There are 291 internal drainage boards in England and Wales. My right hon. Friend is not responsible for land drainage in Scotland or Northern Ireland.

Mr. Watkinson

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the cost of running the internal drainage boards in 1976, 1975 and 1974.

Mr. Bishop

The estimated total expenditure of internal drainage boards was as follows:

Financial year £ million
1975–76 … … … 10.10
1974–75 … … … 8.07
1973–74 … … … 6.80

These amounts include administrative expenditure, but I regret that separate figures for this item could not be made available except at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Watkinson

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the revenue in 1976, 1975 and 1974 of the internal drainage boards.

Mr. Bishop

The estimated total income of internal drainage boards was as follows:

Financial year £ million
1975–76 … … … 10.19
1974–75 … … … 8.03
1973–74 … … … 6.98

Mr. Watkinson

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many internal drainage boards there were before the reorganisation of the water authorities.

Mr. Bishop

On 1st January 1974 there were 321 internal drainage boards.

Mr. Watkinson

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are the functions of the internal drainage boards.

Mr. Bishop

Internal drainage boards are statutorily required to exercise a general supervision over all matters relating to the drainage of land within their drainage districts. Their main function is to maintain and where necessary improve the main drains and minor watercourses in their districts.

Mr. Watkinson

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many persons are employed in the internal drainage boards.

Mr. Bishop

I regret that this information is not available. Many internal drainage boards rely on the part-time services of a clerk and the employment of contract labour for maintenance work.