§ 22. Sir Anthony MeyerTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will now make an assessment of the total contribution which the Government will have made to compensate individuals and local authorities for losses caused by the flooding in February; and what calculation he has made of the additional community charge which will be payable in Colwyn and in Rhuddlan in 1991 as a direct consequence of the floods.
§ Mr. David HuntI acknowledge the speed with which the authorities concerned are undertaking all the work arising from the emergency. The Government, too, responded swiftly. We immediately activated the Bellwin arrangements and contributed to the funds established by the mayors. Subsequently we set up a working party to co-ordinate the Government's efforts in support of the local authorities and the people affected. Throughout, my Department has been in close touch with the local authorities concerned. Priority has been given to restoring confidence especially through ensuring the provision of the best possible sea defences.
An early estimate based in part on information provided by the local authorities is that the total Government contribution could exceed £4 million. The local contribution to the community charge to expenditure arising from the emergency should not be significant.