asked the Minister of Agriculture what measures have been taken for the prevention of damage by floods in the non-tidal portion of the Thames.

The responsible body for the maintenance and improvement of the non-tidal portion of the Thames is the Thames Conservancy, which has the powers of a catchment board under Section 79 of the Land Drainage Act, 1930. The income of the board for land drainage purposes is obtained mainly from precepts levied on county and county borough councils within the catchment area.

Would the Minister say that the expenditure of money by the Thames Conservancy during the past five years has done a very great deal to prevent serious flooding?

Yes, Sir. I think their work is very noteworthy.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what authorities will be responsible for prevention of floods in the non-tidal portion of the Thames, and the basis on which the cost will be distributed.

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Newbury (Mr. Hurd) on 27th October, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether any area which was flooded last March in the Fens still remains unreclaimed.

No, Sir, except for very small areas around the worst breaches which have not yet been cleared of debris. These amount to not more than 50 acres out of the total of 690,000 acres that were flooded.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what steps have been taken to prevent flooding in future in the Fens.

Since the spring floods, the catchment boards and other drainage authorities concerned have carried out a heavy programme of rehabilitation work and also an appreciable measure of improvement work. The River Great Ouse Catchment Board's flood prevention scheme has been reconsidered by the Board and modified in the light of revised data obtained in this year's flood. The scheme as a whole, I understand, will be the subject of a Private Bill to be promoted by the Board. The River Welland Catchment Board is proceeding with a major scheme of works which will reduce the risk of flooding over an important area.

Could details of some of these schemes be put in the Tea Room?

Could the Minister give the House an assurance that none of the steps which are being taken will impose upon farmers a financial burden which might impede food production?

I hope that drainage authorities, who draw their funds from local farmers, will be restrained from taking steps on the lines indicated by the hon. Member, since they are the people who benefit from any land that is ultimately improved as a result of flood prevention schemes.