§ Mr. Barry FieldTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list those county authorities which have requested assistance from his Department following the storm of 25 January; and if he will list the SSA for each authority.
§ Mr. David HuntNo local authority has yet made a formal request for assistance, but in view of the obviously serious nature of the storm, the Government announced on 25 January that special financial assistance would be made available.
§ Mr. Barry FieldTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the isolation of a county from its neighbours in extreme weather conditions is a factor which was considered in calculating SSAs.
§ Mr. David HuntThis was not a factor considered. Although the Isle of Wight councils provided a paper which argued their case for recognition of extra costs that they claimed by virtue of separation from the mainland, isolation in extreme weather conditions was not a factor which entered the case that they put forward.
§ Mr. Barry FieldTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement authorising those counties affected by the storm of 25 January to repair the damage under the Bellwin rules.
§ Mr. David HuntSpecial financial arrangements to help local authorities in emergencies—known as the Bellwin scheme—have been announced and will be available for the areas covered by the storm.