§ Mr. SpearingTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will consider the desirability of linking grants for set-aside land in suitable locations in the upper and middle zones of river catchments, to a national scheme of grants for the construction of simple bunds and associated temporary sluices that would impound heavy natural run-off of water to avoid flooding.
§ Mr. CurryUnder domestic legislation, the Ministry makes grant aid available to the National Rivers Authority, local authorities and internal drainage boards in support of flood defence measures which are technically sound, economically worthwhile and environmentally acceptable. The rules for land set-aside under the new EC arable arrangements from autumn 1992 require the land to be kept in good agricultural condition during the set-aside period. It would be incompatible with this requirement to permit the construction of structures to prevent run-off on set-aside land.