§ Mr. Warrenasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans there are to give assistance to private householders to remove fallen trees following the recent hurricane.
§ Mr. MoynihanRemoval of fallen trees is financially a matter for the owners of those trees. My right hon. Friend has already issued advice to householders on tree removal and the case of damaged trees. The Task Force, Trees, of the Countryside Commission will be considering what further advice to offer.
§ Mr. Blunkettasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his Department's latest available estimate as to the cost to local authorities of making good storm damage consequent upon the gales of 15 and 16 October; what amount of grant will be lost to local authorities as a result of their paying up to a penny rate on repair; and how this sum breaks down between the individual affected authorities.
§ Mr. ChopeThe Department has asked local authorities to give initial estimates of the costs of dealing with the storm damage by Friday 30 October.
Prudent local authorities will have budgeted for their likely level of grant after taking account of contingencies. They therefore should not suffer additional grant losses as a result of having to meet emergency-related costs up to the threshold of the Bellwin scheme.