asked the Minister of Agriculture when he proposes to set up a River Board for the Usk and Ebbw rivers, in view of the urgency of this matter and the long delay that has already occurred.

A draft Order defining a river board area that includes the rivers Usk and Ebbw was placed on deposit on Thursday, 14th February. If there are no objections to the draft Order and no delay in the subsequent stages, I hope the river board will be established in time to hold a preliminary meeting in July so as to be ready to assume its functions on 1st October next.