§ 11. Sir Raymond Gowerasked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the situation in Wales arising from the severe weather conditions.
§ Mr. Nicholas EdwardsRecent heavy snow and exceptionally severe weather conditions have caused disruption to normal life in many parts of Wales. Althought the situation is gradually returning to normal, conditions are still extremely difficult in many places.
I should like to pay tribute to the local authorities, which have the primary responsibility for dealing with such emergencies, the armed forces, the police, the health and social service agencies and many others who have responded so well, including a very large number of ordinary people who have kept industry, agriculture and commercial life going.
§ Mr. Wigleyasked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make special financial allocations to local authorities in Wales to meet the extra financial burdens arising out of the recent severe weather conditions; and if he will set out the details of any such allocation in the Official Report.
§ Mr. Nicholas EdwardsMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment announced on 11 January that the Government were prepared to make available special financial assistance to relieve authorities that would otherwise suffer an undue financial burden because of the effects of the recent severe weather. This assistance will be available in Wales as in England. A 75 per cent. grant will be paid on net additional expenditure which is in excess of the product of a 1p grant-inclusive rate. It will not be possible to give details of allocations until after claims have been made, assessed and met.
§ Mr. Wigleyasked the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of the losses to the agricultural industry in Wales arising from the severe winter weather and if he will seek to make loan funds available to assist farmers who have suffered substantial losses.
§ Mr. Nicholas EdwardsIt is too early to make such an assessment. It is not the Government's practice to offer loan facilities to the farming community. Claims for grant assistance under the capital grant schemes for work to make good weather damage to farm buildings etcetra will be given priority.