asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware that many farmers who got an estimate during the past two years for work to be carried out on their land under the western drainage scheme and who are only now in the process of carrying out this work due to lack of contractors, find that contractors' costings are much higher than the original departmental estimate and that in real terms they are getting a grant of almost 40 per cent of their outlay instead of 70 per cent; and if he will have those estimates revised to take account of the costings at the time of commencement of the work.
Written Answers. - Drainage Costs.
311.
The estimates used in approvals under the western drainage scheme allow for the completion of the work within a reasonable period. It is not practicable to revise those estimates afterwards.
By reason of the unprecedented number of applications under the western drainage scheme priority in approvals has been given to farmers who indicated that they were in a position to start work without delay.