HC Deb 06 March 1978 vol 945 cc510-1W
Mr. Peter Mills

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he has taken to obtain further funds from the European Community Disaster Fund, in view of the widespread problems of the South-West of England.

Mr. Jim Spicer

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he has taken to obtain further funds from the European Community Disaster Fund, in view of the widespread problems of the South-West of England.

Mr. Shore

The Government do not yet have an assessment of the cost of the damage arising from the recent blizzards and floods in the South-West of England. We are seeking to arrive at one as quickly as possible. Until we have this assessment it would be premature to consider asking for assistance from the European Economic Commission in dealing with the damage.

Mr. Maxwell-Hyslop

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the cost of repairing roads damaged by the recent floods and blizzards falls within the scope of the Government pledge to reimburse local authorities their costs in excess of a 1p rate arising from the consequences of the blizzard and floods.

Mr. Shore

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to his Question on 27th February. I repeat that the Government will pay local authorities 75 per cent. of the amount by which their expenditure in dealing with the effects of the blizzards exceeds, in each case, the product of a 1p rate. The additional cost of repairing roads damaged by the recent floods and blizzards will fall within the scope of the Government assistance.—[Vol. 945, c. 52.]

Mr. Paul Dean

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how much money will be available from European Economic Community sources to assist in meeting the cost of repairing the damage caused by the blizzards in the West Country; and how this money will be distributed.

Mr. Shore

The EEC has not made money available specifically for this purpose. The distribution of the money which the EEC has given is under consideration.

Mr. Paul Dean

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the latest estimates, county by county, of the cost of the recent blizzards in the West Country; and how much will be met by Her Majesty's Government.

Mr. Shore

No estimates have yet been received from local authorities of their costs of the recent blizzards in the West Country. The Government will pay 75 per cent. of their additional costs in excess of a 1p rate product.