HC Deb 03 May 2001 vol 367 cc750-1W
Mr. Llwyd

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much funding was allocated to England and Wales under the Bellwin rules for each year since 1971. [160453]

Ms Beverley Hughes

Under arrangements currently in force in England sufficient funds are allocated to the Bellwin scheme to meet any eligible claims. In a separate answer I am giving details of payments made to local authorities in past years.

The Bellwin scheme in Wales is the responsibility of the National Assembly for Wales.

Mr. Llwyd

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much money was paid out to councils in England and Wales under the Bellwin rules for each year since 1971. [160454]

Ms Beverley Hughes

Payments made to local authorities in England since 1987 are as follows (to the nearest £100,000):

Year £
1987–88 20,000,000
1988–89 6,200,000
1989–90 600,000
1990–91 4,900,000
Year £
1992–92 300,000
1992–93 0
1993–94 200,000
1994–95 600,000
1995–96 100,000
1996–97 200,000
1997–98 300,000
1998–99 400,000
1999–2000 300,000
2000–01 4,100,000

Records of payments made earlier than 1987 could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

The National Assembly for Wales is responsible for Bellwin schemes in Wales.

Mr. Llwyd

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how recent aid given to English counties for flooding and foot and mouth payments using the Bellwin rules was calculated; and if revenue and capital aspects were treated differently. [160456]

Ms Beverley Hughes

A "Bellwin" scheme of emergency financial assistance may be activated to help a local authority with uninsurable clear-up costs following a disaster or emergency that involve s destruction of, or danger to, life or property. Grant is in normally paid at a rate of 85 per cent. of an authority's qualifying expenditure above a threshold. The threshold is the provision that a prudent authority might reasonably be expected to make for contingencies and emergencies (approximately 0.2 per cent. of its revenue budget).

For the flooding Bellwin scheme grant was paid at a rate of 100 per cent. above the threshold to take into account the exceptional nature of the emergency. The Bellwin scheme for Foot and Mouth Disease will pay grant at the normal rate of 85 per cent.

Bellwin grant is paid only in respect of current expenditure; capital expenditure is not eligible for grant.

Angela Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will provide financial assistance to Essex Police Authority under the Bellwin scheme in respect of costs incurred following the Korean air crash in the county on 22 December 1999. [160583]

Ms Beverley Hughes

I am satisfied that financial assistance under the Bellwin scheme is justified in the case of Essex Police Authority given the exceptional nature of the air crash and the clear up operation. A scheme will, therefore, be established under section 155 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989. Grant will be paid to cover 85 per cent. of the eligible costs above a threshold, which the Authority has incurred in dealing with the air crash.