HC Deb 20 December 1955 vol 547 cc1833-5
30. Sir D. Robertson

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland why the meeting of Highland local authorities promised by a Joint Under-Secretary of State during his snowstorm visits in January has not been held; if he is satisfied that these authorities are better equipped to deal with an emergency than they were last winter; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. J. Stuart

After the snowstorms in January and February of this year meetings were held by my Department to review operational arrangements, and by the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation to consider snow clearance generally. Guidance has been issued in a Scottish Home Department circular dated 15th November, and my right hon. Friend is replying today to a Question about the provision of snow clearing equipment which my hon. Friend has on the Order Paper.

Sir D. Robertson

Is not it a fact that the kind of meetings to which the Secretary of State is referring are quite dissimilar to those promised to Caithness County Council and other local authorities who did a very good job of work? Is it not also the fact that there were many lessons to be learned from these snowstorms which could have been put to use now? Is it not the fact that we in the northern counties start this winter worse equipped with snow clearing equipment than last time?

Mr. Stuart

My right hon. Friend will answer a Question on the last point if it is reached, but on 28th March the chief constables, with the offices of the Scottish Home Department and the Department of Agriculture, met to discuss operational arrangements. On 14th April, the divisional road engineers and representatives of the British Road Federation, the A.A. and the R.A.C. met. I can assure my hon. Friend that we have done much to meet his point.

39. Sir D. Robertson

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that Caithness County Council incurred costs of £37,000 in dealing with last winter's snowstorms; and what arrangements he has made to relieve the council of this burden which they are unable to bear.

Mr. J. Stuart

Of the sum of £37,000 referred to, more than £33,500 will be defrayed by the Exchequer from the Road Fund and Exchequer equalisation grants, and I do not consider that any further assistance could be justified.