§ Sir Geoffrey Johnson Smithasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will consider the provision of financial assistance to those farmers, horticulturists, owners of private woodlands and others who suffered loss and damage to their property as a consequence of the hurricane in the early hours of 16 October which is uninsurable and whose costs are not being met by local authority funds.
§ Mr. MacGregor[holding answer, 2 November 1987]: I have every sympathy with those who have suffered as a result of the storm but see no reason to depart from the longstanding position that the Government do not pay compensation for the effects of bad weather, particularly where risks are insurable. I am, however, consulting the European Commission about the possibility of increasing the rates of some grants under the agriculture improvement scheme to help with work needed on shelterbelts, hedges and traditional walls. I am also assessing the losses suffered by fruit farmers in consultation with the NFU and others. I will consider the position when this assessment is complete.
As regards woodlands, the Forestry Commission has set up a forest wind blow action committee which will, amongst other things, assess the scale and nature of the 642W damage, provide a service to promote the orderly marketing of fallen timber and issue both general and individual advice to owners of woodlands through its wind blow task force at Alice Holt, near Farnham, in Surrey. Financial help is available from the Countryside Commission for replanting small areas of woodland under arrangements announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment on 21 October. For the restocking of larger areas the Forestry Commission's forestry grant scheme and broadleaved woodland grant scheme provide assistance.
When we have made a considered assessment of the damage and of the work that has to be done, I will decide whether further financial assistance is needed.
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