Agricultural Drainage (Committee)

Oral Answers to Questions — Scotland – in the House of Commons am 12:00 am ar 5 Awst 1947.

Danfonwch hysbysiad imi am ddadleuon fel hyn

Photo of Mr John Robertson Mr John Robertson , Berwickshire and Haddingtonshire 12:00, 5 Awst 1947

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has in mind measures for meeting in future the needs of Scotland in the matter of agricultural drainage.

Photo of Mr Joseph Westwood Mr Joseph Westwood , Stirling and Falkirk District of Burghs

Yes, Sir, I have had this matter under consideration. In view of the importance to Scottish agriculture of adequate land drainage, I have appointed an independent Committee with the following terms of reference: To review the operation of drainage schemes carried out in Scotland under the Agriculture Act, 1937, the Land Drainage (Scotland) Acts, the Agriculture (Miscellaneous Provisions) Acts, and emergency war-time powers; to examine the extent to which further large-scale drainage work is necessary and desirable in the interests of efficient agriculture; and to advise what legislative or other provision should be made to enable such further work to be carried out. With the permission of the House, I am arranging for the names of the members of the Committee to be published in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Photo of Colonel Sir Alan Gomme-Duncan Colonel Sir Alan Gomme-Duncan , Perth

Would the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that not only large-scale agricultural drainage schemes are to be considered by this committee, since smaller ones are equally important in their way, and in my own case I have been trying for seven years to get one field drained which has been impossible so far because of the lack of labour.

Photo of Mr Joseph Westwood Mr Joseph Westwood , Stirling and Falkirk District of Burghs

None of these questions will be ruled out of consideration so far as the Committee is concerned.

Following are the members of the Committee:

  • Joseph Duncan, Esq., LL.D. (Chairman).
  • Sir George Campbell, Bt.
  • William Graham, Esq., C.B.E.
  • George T. McGlashan, Esq.
  • Harry H. Nicholson, Esq., M.A.
  • Wilson M. Robertson, Esq., F.S.I.
  • John Sullivan, Esq.