asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in. connection with the Government assistance scheme for drainage for clearing farm ditches, he will circularise all county war agricultural executive committees, urging on them the necessity of immediately surveying and approving the land which is to be dealt with under this scheme, with a view to expediting the carrying out of this work?

I have already drawn the attention of county war agricultural executive committees to the grants available for work of clearing farm ditches and urged them to co-operate to the utmost of their power with drainage authorities in the preparation and supervision of suitable schemes.

Does my right hon. and gallant Friend realise that later on haymaking and harvest will take all the men, and that the only time to do this work is now and that delay is fatal? Is not this another example of doing too little and being too late?

No, we have drawn the attention of county committees to this matter and they have promised to co-operate with the drainage authorities. More than that we cannot do.

Will my right hon. and gallant Friend help me in my own case, as I am in great difficulty?

I am sorry to hear that my hon. Friend's ditches are in this condition.

The land is not mine. It is merely land which I have taken out of patriotism since the outbreak of war?

What steps will the Minister take where it is found that county committees are not doing their duty in regard to drainage?

Their powers are laid down and we exercise what persuasion we can.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that, in Westmorland, the War Agricultural Executive is more concerned about pleasing landowners than getting the land drained; and what steps he is taking to get the necessary work done?

The answer to the first part of the Question is in the negative. As regards the second part, I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply which I have to-day given to my hon. Friend the Member for Evesham (Mr. De la Bère).

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman not aware that at the last meeting of the Westmorland Branch of the National Farmers' Union the secretary stated that the War Agricultural Executive were more concerned about the privileges of landowners than they were about draining land?

It does not necessarily follow that that is a statement of fact.

rose—

Mr. Jenkins.

On a point of Order. Since I am quoting a statement made by the secretary of a branch of the National Farmers' Union is the right hon. Gentleman correct in suggesting that he is not telling the truth?

It is a question of opinion.