§ Mr. Ron DaviesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) how he defines eligible expenditure under the Bellwin scheme; and if he has reviewed his definition in the light of the circumstances surrounding the recent flooding in Wales;
(2) when and how he formally announced that Bellwin assistance would be made available to Welsh local authorities; on what date relevant expenditure became eligible; and when he proposes the closing date for applications for assistance submitted under the present scheme;
(3) if he will allow capital expenditure on repair and replacement work to be eligible for Welsh Office funding under the Bellwin formula;
(4) if he will make a statement on the application of the Bellwin formula in providing assistance to Welsh local authorities following the recent flooding;
(5) on what basis he calculates the threshold level for financial assistance under the Bellwin scheme; and if he will publish a table showing the current threshold levels for local authorities in Wales.
§ Mr. David HuntThe Government are applying the Bellwin scheme for emergency financial assistance for local authorities affected by flood and storm damage following the severe weather in Wales last week.