HC Deb 29 January 1990 vol 166 cc69-70W
Mr. Barry Field

To 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 Hunt

No 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 Field

To 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 Hunt

This 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 Field

To 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 Hunt

Special 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.