HC Deb 22 October 1987 vol 120 cc873-4W
Mr. Teddy Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimate he has made of the additional expense that will be incurred by local councils in consequence of the 15–16 October hurricane; and if Her Majesty's Government will offer any assistance towards these costs.

Mr. Ridley

No such estimate is yet available, but I announced to the House on Wednesday 21 October a package of measures designed to help local authorities affected by storm damage on 15–16 October.

In addition, I can confirm that the Government accept that those authorities will now be using up the funds they

Consultation document Date of publication Closing date for responses Number issued Responses from individuals Responses from bodies and institutions
The National Curriculum 5–16 24 July 30 September 58,500 6,200 740
Charges for school activities 2 October 30 November 8,100 42 10
Collective Worship 7 July 11 September 424 252 81
Financial delegation to schools 20 July 16 September 10,197 199 340
Grant maintained schools 24 July 30 September 11,388 298 393
Admission of pupils to maintained schools 9 July 16 September 10,140 187 310
Changes in structure and national planning for higher education (polytechnics and colleges sector) 10 April 30 June 1,840 13 216

have set aside for contingencies. If there is any further emergency to which the Bellwin rules are applied in this financial year, we will add in the cost of the current emergency work in calculating whether authorities qualify for special grant aid. And we will ensure that there is not loss of rate support grant on spending above the threshold. This will apply to all authorities affected by the English storm whether or not they qualify for grant on this occasion.