§ Lord Melchettasked Her Majesty's Government:
By what criteria they decide whether or not to provide grant aid to a drainage scheme proposed by an internal drainage board, and in particular in what proportion of such schemes do they have access to a cost-benefit analysis on the scheme concerned.
Earl FerrersIn order to qualify for grant aid, schemes must be technically sound and of reasonable cost, and must generate sufficient benefit, either by the avoidance of flood damage or by increased agricultural output to justify the gross cost. Each application for grant must be supported by a full report including a cost/benefit analysis.