Storm Damage (Hansard, 18 January 1988)

§ Mr. Tony Banks
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make further funds available to the Countryside Commission in the light of the net bids made by local authorities in respect of tree damage sustained on 16 October 1987.

§ Mr. Moynihan
The Department is discussing with the Countryside Commission the need for a long-term programme of tree planting.

§ Mr. Tony Banks
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will carry over to 1988–89 any part of the £25 million allocated by his Department in 1987–88 for storm damage on 16 October 1987 and not paid out within the current financial year.

§ Mr. Chope
No, but parliamentary approval will if necessary be sought to adjust the main Estimates provision for 1988–89 to enable grant to be paid on all eligible expenditure.

§ Mr. Tony Banks
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the closing date by which claims for damages sustained on 16 October 1987 should be submitted by local authorities and others to his Department.

§ Mr. Chope
Initial claims must be with the Department by 1 March 1988. Grant on 90 per cent. of eligible expenditure will be paid on the basis of those claims. Final claims, on the basis of which grant on the remaining 10 per cent. of eligible expenditure will be paid, must be submitted via local authorities: auditors to the Department by 31 December 1988.