49. Sir W. Austruther-Grayasked the Secretary of State for Scotland to what extent his Department is meeting the cost of restoring flood damage this autumn ; and what share of this money will be allocated to Berwickshire and East Lothian.
§ Mr. J. StuartAs has already been announced, the Government are meeting the full cost of the remedial work necessary on rivers in an area in Moray Nairn and an adjacent part of Inverness-shire where damage was on a disastrous scale. The damage which occurred in Berwickshire and East Lothian, and elsewhere in Scotland, was fortunately on a much smaller scale and does not in the Government's view require special treatment. In these other areas assistance for the restoration of damage to river courses will be available at the normal rates.
§ Sir W. Anstruther-GrayWill my right hon. Friend bear in mind that, although there were not many serious cases of flood damage in Berwick and East Lothian, there were some, and will he give an assurance that this area, besides other parts of Scotland, will receive his most sympathetic consideration?
§ Mr. StuartCertainly, Sir. My hon. and gallant Friend will probably recollect, and agree, that in a previous very serious case in Berwickshire special consideration and assistance was given.