asked the Minister for Agriculture (a) the average time which elapses between the submission of an application for the western drainage scheme and its approval; (b) the average time which elapses between the submission of an application for the western drainage scheme and the completion of the works; and (c) the measures he is taking to speed up the approval and completion of work under this scheme.
Written Answers. - Western Drainage Scheme.
449.
(a) The average time which elapses from the submission of an application for the Western Drainage Scheme until approval issues for a project is about one year.
(b) Execution of the work is the sole responsibility of the applicant. The time taken for completion can vary substantially.
(c) Progress under the scheme has been generally satisfactory and it is expected that the programme target of 150,000 hectares will be reached well before the final date of 31 December 1986. Steps have been taken recently to deal more expeditiously with applications. These measures should ensure that no farmer who is genuinely anxious to drain land will be held up unduly.