§ 24. Mr. MacArthurasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what further estimate he has made of the losses suffered by agriculture and horticulture as a result of the hurricane in January.
§ Mr. RossAs was explained to the hon. Gentleman in reply to a similar Question on 6th March an estimate can only be made in respect of the damage to farm buildings and other fixed equipment as revealed by applications under the various improvement schemes. The estimated cost of the work to which these relate is now £1,440,000, but, of course, this figure includes an element of improvement as well as restoration.—[Vol. 760, c. 78.]
§ Mr. MacArthurWill the right hon. Gentleman recognise that many farmers suffered serious consequential loss, and that he is expected by the farming industry to take some further action to help those whose building losses were uninsurable? Will he consider cases of hardship, and so give credibility to his claim that this hurricane would be treated as a national disaster?
§ Mr. RossI think the hon. Gentleman should appreciate the position. I am sure that he would not like me to restore assets which were not insurable because of the state of them.
§ Mr. MacArthurThe nature of them.
§ Mr. RossThis is one of the things which form part of the difficulty in relation to any provision. I assure the hon. Gentleman that we have been very flexible indeed in our administration of the improvement schemes, to ensure that there is no hardship.