§ Mr. Fryasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many claims he has received from county councils following the aid promised to deal with the problems for local roads caused by the severe winter; what is the estimated extra cost to county councils of snow clearance and frost damage; and how much his Department is likely to pay to county councils to cover these extra costs.
§ Mr. KingTwenty-four county councils in England have so far submitted claims or have expressed their intention of doing so. Of these, 18 estimate their extra costs at a total of £53 million, with individual estimates mostly ranging between £1 million and £3 million. It is too early to make reliable estimate of overall entitlement to grant.