§ 6. Mr. Maclennanasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to ensure the proper maintenance of agricultural land drainage; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. FennerUnder the Land Drainage Act 1976 responsibility for maintaining arterial drainage channels in England and Wales rests with the riparian owners. Drainage authorities, that is, water authorities and district councils and in certain areas internal drainage boards, have permissive powers to undertake maintenance work. I am not aware of any particular problems concerning the maintenance of arterial drainage channels benefiting agricultural land at the present time.
278Wsector. The University Grants Committee has agreed to contribute £2 million in 1986–87 from the total funds available for recurrent grant for the universities. A similar sum will be provided by the Science and Engineering Research Council from within its existing budget for 1986–87.