asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whom he has appointed to the membership of the Yorkshire Regional Land Drainage Committee.

My right hon. Friend has appointed Major A. T. Bourne-Arton (Chairman), Mr. J. C. Cooke, Mr. J. P. Coverdale and Mr. A. L. West.

Is it not the case that the chairman of the committee is a former Conservative Member of this House, and Mr. Cooke is a Conservative member of the North Yorkshire County Council, while neither of the other two gentlemen mentioned has any connection with the Labour Party? Is it not clear that the Minister is using these appointments for party political purposes?

No, indeed that is not so. The appointees have qualifications that are especially applicable. I was about to assure the hon. Gentleman that Mr. West is Chairman of the Cottingham IDB, Mr. Cooke is the Vice-Chairman of the Went IDB and Mr. Coverdale, in addition to being Chairman of the River Foss IDB, is also an active member of the Association of Drainage Authorities.

Will my hon. Friend say whether our membership of the EEC will in any way affect the future appointment of members to drainage committees? Is there likely to be a co-ordinated EEC policy on the question of drainage rights?

My answer to the first part of my hon. Friend's questions is "No". To that second, it should be understood that drainage forms part of the schemes within the Community.