§ 2.43 p.m.
VISCOUNT STONEHAVENMy Lords, I beg to ask the second Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have any statement to make on the effects of the recent severe weather on the Northern Counties of Scotland.]
THE MINISTER OF STATE, SCOTTISH OFFICE (THE EARL OF HOME)My Lords, heavy falls of snow, high winds and exceptionally severe frost have created a situation of some difficulty over much of the Highland and Islands. In particular, the poor harvest and the exhaustion of supplies in the earlier blizzard have caused a serious shortage of fodder; and as the sheep are already weak after a long period of hard weather there is danger of serious loss. The local authorities, their staffs, and the police are doing their utmost to restore communications and organise relief where it is needed; and the Royal Navy, the Royal Air Force and the ships of the Fishery Protection Service are again co-operating in the delivery of supplies—particularly fodder—and in dealing also with cases of illness and casualties. Between them the two 365 Services up to midnight on February 22/23 have carried out thirty-four general and six special reconnaissances and eighteen medical flights with a total flying time of about eighty-seven hours.
The fishery cruiser "Minna" was sent to the Shetlands and was able on February 20 to deliver five tons of stores and mails to Foula, which had been cut off for forty-eight days; and on February 21 she took mails and provisions to places on the west coast of Shetland. The fishery cruiser "Norna" was sent to Orkney and the fishery cruiser "Vaila" to Stornoway, but I am glad to say that no calls on the services of these cruisers have so far been made, although they are continuing to stand by.
There has on this occasion been considerable interruption of telephone services and electricity supplies, but I am glad to say that, as a result of the work of the staffs of the Post Office and the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board, the situation has largely now been restored. By this morning only five telephone exchanges (four in Orkney and one in Shetland) still remain isolated, although many subscribers' lines are still out of action. Except for an area between Dunnett and John o'Groats all main electricity lines are now functioning again.
We shall, of course, continue to keep in the closest touch with the situation. In the meantime, I know that the House would wish me to express, on behalf not only of Her Majesty's Government but of this House, our sympathy with the people of the areas concerned who are suffering hardship and our appreciation of the work of all who are helping to restore communications and maintain essential services.
VISCOUNT STONEHAVENMy Lords, I thank the noble Earl for his Answer, which will give great satisfaction in Scotland.
LORD TEYNHAMMy Lords, arising out of the noble Earl's reply, would Her Majesty's Government consider providing sledge equipment, and so on, to these areas, so that they can provide themselves with food in future and avoid the necessity to use at great expense this helicopter service?
THE EARL OF HOMEMy Lords, this storm has been a very exceptional one. We have not had anything quite like it 366 before, with large quantities of snow coming so suddenly and for a considerable time. I have no doubt that all sorts of precautions will be taken for another season.