§ Mr. David MarshallTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people in Glasgow have been made temporarily homeless due to the recent severe weather conditions. [8941]
§ Mr. Raymond S. RobertsonInformation obtained from Glasgow district council suggests that around 1,000 people had to be placed in temporary accommodation following the recent severe weather. This figure does not include those who managed to find temporary accommodation with friends and relatives.
§ Mr. MarshallTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement about the recent severe weather in Scotland. [8938]
§ Mr. KynochI refer the hon. Member to the answer my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for Ayr (Mr. Gallie) on 10 January,Official Report, columns 235–38.
§ Mr. MarshallTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will visit those areas of Glasgow his Department estimates to be worst affected by the recent severe weather conditions. [8958]
§ Mr. Kynoch[holding answer 15 January 1996]: On 5 January, my right hon. Friend visited the Strathclyde regional council water department headquarters and heard at first hand from the staff who had worked long and hard over the holiday period to maintain services. He learnt about the large numbers of properties which were affected by burst pipes and the efforts made to reduce the ensuring damage. I and my colleagues have paid similar visits in other parts of Scotland and we are all aware of the tremendous efforts made by the staff of the water authorities. Benefits Agency staff have also done very well in dealing with urgent cases of hardship. My right hon. Friend has established a working party to report on the lessons to be learnt from what was, by any standards, an extraordinary series of events.