asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will make a statement on the progress of the River Great Ouse flood prevention scheme, with particular reference to the financial aspect.

Before work on the main scheme begins, the Catchment Board need to determine the extent of their liability under Section 42 of the River Great Ouse (Flood Protection) Act, 1949, for protective works in the Port of King's Lynn. Negotiations to this end are in progress, and 1 understand that, meanwhile, the Board are putting in hand certain surveys and other work of a preliminary nature. Whether the Government grant of 90 per cent. on the main scheme can be extended to include any protective works is a matter to be considered when the probable cost of such works is known.