HC Deb 20 January 1994 vol 235 cc835-6W
Mr. Barry Field

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if his departmental officials will assist the Isle of Wight's staff to prepare geological reports on the landslips and coastal stability problems on the Isle of Wight and to detail what exceptional grants may be available in view of the serious and extensive nature of the problem.

Mr. Baldry

The hon. Member is aware of my Department's earlier research on landslip potential assessment in part of Ventnor and Luccombe village. This has developed the techniques which I am pleased to see that the local authority have been taking forward in extending that work to other parts of Ventnor. It is for the local authority, rather than my Department, to continue to take that work forward in respect of areas which have not yet been covered in so far as it is necessary to do so.

Any requests which may be made by Isle of Wight local authorities for special financial assistance under the Bellwin scheme in relation to the recent landslides will be considered on their merits. However, there are no other statutory means by which exceptional grants can be made available to assist in the problems now being experienced. The landslips are natural phenomena and grant aid could be considered by my right hon. Friend the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food only if the prime cause were found to be coastal erosion.

Mr. Barry Field

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will consider applying the Bellwin rules to the problems facing the Isle of Wight local authorities following the extensive coastal landslips.

Mr. Baldry

No applications have been received from Isle of Wight authorities for assistance under the Bellwin scheme in connection with the recent coastal landslips. Authorities have been informed that they should apply individually to the Department for assistance if they have incurred an undue financial burden as a result of dealing with an emergency. Each application which is received will be considered on its merits.

Mr. Barry Field

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if his advisers will visit the Isle of Wight to report on the extensive landslips and cliff erosion and to advise the local authorities.

Mr. Baldry

I am asking my officials to report to me on the recent landslips in the Isle of Wight within the next few weeks. I will write to the hon. Member when that report is received. However, I understand that the local authorities concerned have considerable expertise within their engineering departments and that they have also commissioned consulting engineers to advise them.

Mr. Barry Field

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans there are for the Countryside Commission to send a team to the Isle of Wight to assess the loss of coastal footpaths and beach access and to see what assistance and advice they can give the island's local authorities in time for the Easter holiday visitors.

Mr. Atkins

The Countryside Commission has recently sent a team to the Isle of Wight, in the light of damage caused by the recent severe weather to the islands coastal paths and access to beaches. They discussed with council officials the possibility of assistance and the commission is now considering the council's formal application for grant aid for restoration.