§ Mr. George Cunninghamasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many applications for ex-gratia payments in respect of damage caused by burst water mains in the last five years have been refused by water authorities without reference to his Department; how many have been refused by his Department; and what considerations determine the Department's decisions on such applications.
§ Mr. Michael HeseltineResponsibility for dealing with claims for damages made against statutory water undertakers rests with the undertakers. Such information as I have is derived from Departmental records of expenditure sanctioned under Section 228(1) of the Local Government Act, 1933. Each application made under that Section is considered on its merits. Within the last five years all applications for sanctions in respect of expenditure by water undertakers on compensation for damage caused by burst water mains have been granted.