§ Mr. Moateasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement describing the extent to which local authorities will be able to claim reimbursement of extraordinary expenditure incurred in the recent floods and storms; and if he will confirm that, for the purpose of calculating eligible expenditure, a local authority is entitled to aggregate all costs arising in the same financial year but caused by different storms or flooding incidents.
§ Mr. Denis Howell:Local authorities incurring additional expenditure under section 138 of the Local Government Act 1972 in respect of the recent bad weather will be eligible for special Government assistance of 75 per cent. of the amount by which that expenditure exceeds the product of a 1 p rate. Each storm or flooding incident will be treated separately in determining eligibility for this assistance.
§ Mr. Moateasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement about the damage sustained on 889W the Isle of Sheppey and on the mainland in the borough of Swale through flooding by the sea on 31st December 1978 and thereafter, and on the steps that he has taken to provide assistance.
§ Mr. Denis Howell:In the borough of Swale about 800 houses and 40 business premises, mainly in the Sheerness, Shellness, Warden and Leysdown areas, suffered damage as a result of the recent flooding. The emergency was dealt with locally and the local authority is aware of the special financial assistance available from my Department in circumstances such as these.
§ Mr. Moateasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement about the damage and disruption caused by the floods and storms that occurred on 30th and 31st December 1978 and thereafter and the steps taken by him to deal with the situation that arose.
§ Mr. Denis Howell:Part of Kent and Devon suffered severe effects from the recent floods and storms. Officials of my Department were in touch with local authorities known to be affected at the time and found that although there were some serious problems, these were being dealt with and overcome locally. One of the Department's engineers visited South Devon on 8th January and reported that the emergency work carried out there gave a good coast protection defence. Another engineer is due to visit Kent later this week to inspect damage to coast protection works at Whitstable. Maritime district councils have powers to undertake work urgently necessary for the protection of land in their area without the prior approval from the Department.
§ Mr. Moateasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the extent to which, under section 138 of the Local Government Act 1972, local authorities are able to make grants to businesses that have suffered uninsurable losses as a result of flooding or freak weather conditions; and if the local authority would be reimbursed for such expenditure under the Government's compensation formula.
§ Mr. Denis Howell:Section 138 of the Act enables the authority concerned to decide how far to exercise its relevant powers, including the making of grants or loans to other persons or bodies. Addi- 890W tional expenditure so incurred as a result of the recent bad weather is eligible under the Government's formula for special financial assistance.