§ Mr. DykesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what guidance he gives to local authorities seeking to provide financial and other assistance to those whose homes are affected by environmental disasters of any kind.
§ Mr. Robin SquireGuidance issued by my Department and others covering a wide range of local authority functions may be relevant, depending on the circumstances. Local authorities have a general power to incur expenditure which is in the interests of and will bring direct benefit to their area or its inhabitants, and we expect them to make appropriate use of that discretion.