HC Deb 25 January 1988 vol 126 c36W
Mr. Goodlad

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has over the next three years to provide financial assistance to help remedy the effects of the October 1987 hurricane.

Mr. Chope

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced on 8 December that the date by which work eligible for 75 per cent. special financial assistance must be completed had been extended to 1 March 1988. For 1987–88 he proposes to exclude from total expenditure, in effect to relieve from block grant losses, all storm-related revenue expenditure above the threshold defined in the Bellwin scheme whether or not eligible for special financial assistance, including revenue contributions to capital outlays made by the end of March 1988. For 1987–88, 1988–89 and 1989–90 he also proposes to exclude from total expenditure all debt charges incurred in respect of capital expenditure on storm damage up to the end of March 1989.