§ Mr. GroganTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement regarding the application made by North Yorkshire Police Authority under the Bellwin scheme to cover its costs associated with the Selby rail crash. [33740]
§ Mr. RaynsfordI have received a request from North Yorkshire Police Authority for assistance under the Bellwin scheme with the exceptional costs they incurred in connection with the Selby rail crash. I am satisfied that financial assistance under the Bellwin scheme is justified in the case of North Yorkshire Police Authority given the exceptional nature of the costs incurred by the authority following the rail crash. 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 incurred in dealing with the rail crash.