HC Deb 06 March 1968 vol 760 cc76-8W
43. Mr. Noble

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will now make a further statement about the relief of storm damage in Scotland.

Mr. Ross

In answering Questions today I am informing the House about what is being done in a number of respects. If the right hon. Gentleman wishes to have this information supplemented in any way I should be grateful if he would let me know.

53. Mr. MacArthur

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what further measures he will introduce to assist agriculture, forestry and horticulture in Scotland following the recent hurricane.

Mr. Ross

I mentioned during the debate on 7th February that all applications under the various improvement grant schemes would be dealt with sympathetically. On present information I am not satisfied that any further assistance from Government funds towards agricultural damage would be justified. The position regarding forestry is still under consideration.—[Vol. 758, c. 422–426.]

57. Mr. Younger

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will publish a White Paper giving the details of damage to housing in the west of Scotland during the recent hurricane.

Mr. Ross

I do not propose at present to issue a White Paper.

69. Sir J. Gilmour

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many local authorities in Scotland insure their council houses against the risk of storm damage.

Mr. Ross

I do not have this information, but I am taking steps to obtain it.

82. Sir J. Gilmour

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, what estimate is now available as to the amount of timber blown down in the recent gale which will need to be transported out of Scotland in order to be processed; whether he will seek to make a contribution to transport costs; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Ross

The report of the Scottish Windblow Action Group indicates that about 6½ million hoppus feet of sawlogs, as well as an unspecified quantity of small roundwood, will have to be processed outside Scotland.

I will consider this problem in the light of the Forestry Commission's recommendations, which I understand will reach me almost at once.

Mr. Edward M. Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, how much money has now been paid to Scottish local authorities to provide the means of giving loans to owners of private property and rented property damaged in the recent hurricane; and how much of this sum has actually been paid to contractors undertaking the repairs.

Mr. Ross

£350,000 has been advanced to local authorities. Information on payments made to contractors is not at present available.

Mr. Edward M. Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether he is satisfied that adequate supplies of skilled labour and materials are available in Glasgow to deal with storm damage repairs; and when he anticipates that the work will be completed.

Mr. Ross

I understand from Glasgow Corporation that it expects the repair of its own property to be finished by the end of the year but cannot yet assess how long the repair of privately owned property will take. I am not aware of any shortage of materials. The Ministry of Labour's arrangements for bringing in men from elsewhere, including England, are working well, but discussions are taking place about the adequacy of the present labour force.

Mr. Edward M. Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he will make a further statement on the steps which are being taken to deal with hurricane damage; and if he will now consider introducing a scheme of grants to assist occupiers of damaged houses.

Mr. Ross

A general scheme of direct grants would be inappropriate because of the widely varying insurance and other circumstances of individual owners. To help those in difficulty I am asking the local authorities, when they are arranging to recover the costs of repairs that they have instructed for private houses, to have regard to individual circumstances and to ensure that recovery does not cause hardship.

Mr. MacArthur

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has now made of the consequential losses suffered by farmers in Scotland following the recent hurricane.

Mr. Buchan

I can only make an estimate in respect of the damage to farm buildings and other fixed equipment as revealed by applications for grant under the various improvement schemes. The estimated cost of the work to which these relate is now £1,075,000.