HC Deb 24 February 1982 vol 18 cc841-2
1. Mr. Maxton

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has received from Glasgow district council any assessment of extra expenditure following the damage done to its housing stock during the recent severe weather.

The Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. Malcolm Rifkind)

While it is still not possible to give a firm figure for the expenditure involved, I understand that the council now estimates the cost to be about £13 million. This includes both the estimated cost of repairing damaged property and other additional expenditure incurred by the council as a result of the weather emergency.

Mr. Maxton

Is the Minister aware that thousands of my constituents and others in Glasgow are living in appalling conditions because of burst pipes? Will he give an undertaking that the Government will provide Glasgow with extra money to ensure that repairs are carried out as expeditiously as possible to alleviate the misery?

Mr. Rifkind

The hon. Gentleman will appreciate from my main answer that the cost to Glasgow was substantially less than was originally suggested by both the council and Labour Members. The European Community is providing certain funds to the United Kingdom, of which Scotland will get its full share. The money will be distributed to those who have suffered loss as a result of the damage.

Mr. Pollock

Will my hon. Friend confirm that the Government are prepared to make central funds available to assist local authorities with the cost of repairing damage caused by frost and in undertaking snow clearing operations following the recent severe weather?

Mr. Rifkind

I confirm that the Government have repeatedly offered help to local authorities following weather damage in the same way as the previous Labour Government offered assistance. Regional councils that suffered damage to their roads as a result of the emergency will receive help in the way that has been determined.

Mr. Dewar

Does the Minister accept that, although the sum may now be substantially less than was feared, £13 million is still a substantial sum, and that if the Glasgow district council has to meet the bill the impact on its budget will be horrific? Does he agree that any help from the European Community is likely to be inadequate when measured against the need? In the circumstances, will he not stand on the niceties of what is insurable and what is non-insurable but take a sympathetic view of the genuine need for help? Many properties are derelict and many tenants have suffered great hardship. I am sure that the Government will be judged on the sympathy of their approach.

Mr. Rifkind

The help from the European Community will be directed to individual householders and not to local authorities. My officials and Glasgow district council officials have been discussing the expenditure involved, especially the proportion that would have been insurable if the council had followed the advice of the Labour Government. It is clear that a significant proportion of the expenditure may not have been insurable in the normal course of events. If that is confirmed—we do not yet know what the figure will be—that sum will be eligible for grants in the normal way.

Back to