HC Deb 17 November 1953 vol 520 cc1539-40
6. Mr. Spence

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what grant has been made by his Department to the Moray County Council for the restoration and strengthening of the foreshore at Find-horn in order to prevent further damage by winter storms at the points weakened and damaged by the gale of last February.

Mr. Henderson Stewart

The county council have been offered reimbursement of their expenditure, estimated at £600, on repairing a retaining wall and embankment adjoining the Findhorn-Forres road. So far as I am aware the county council are not contemplating any other works at Findhorn.

Mr. Spence

Is it not the responsibility of the county council to safeguard the buildings of ratepayers? Will my hon. Friend examine the position at Findhorn where damage was done and where danger exists from winter storms?

Mr. Stewart

The point is that the county council know that they can get assistance for general schemes of that kind, and the most sympathetic consideration will be given to any application, but so far they have not made any application, such as my hon. Friend has mentioned.

Mr. Spence

Can the Minister say how it is possible for a ratepayer to get an answer to correspondence on this question?

Mr. Stewart

If my hon. Friend will write to me, I will do something about it.

Mr. Grimond

Do the Government intend to make any general announcement about the protection work being carried out in order to avoid a possible recurrence of last year's disaster?

Mr. Stewart

I do not know the position, but no doubt at some point a report on the proceedings will be made.