asked the Minister of Agriculture when sanctions are to be granted to the River Derwent Catchment Board to enable them to cleanse the River Derwent and carry out the other work necessary to prevent a repetition of the flooding of the River Derwent at Cockermouth?

On 24th May a grant under Section 55 of the Land Drainage Act, 1930, of 60 per cent. of the charges on a loan of £15,800, or the actual approved net cost of the scheme, whichever is the less, was approved in respect of a scheme proposed to be carried out by the Derwent Catchment Board for the purpose of flood prevention on the Derwent. The authority of my Department is not required for the actual carrying out of the works referred to.

May I take it from my right hon. Friend that there is nothing holding up these schemes so far as the Ministry is concerned?

I think that that is correct. There is a further arrangement to be made with regard to borrowing, but we have the sanction for that ready, and it will be issued almost immediately.

May I ask my right hon. Friend to realise that the matter is of extreme urgency because now is the time, when the river is at a low level, for the work to be carried out?

The only delay was because the board altered their arrangements in regard to borrowing. We fully realise the urgency of doing the work during the dry weather.