Severe Weather Conditions

HC Deb 17 January 1996 vol 269 cc635-6W

Mr. David Marshall

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to make additional resources available to Scottish local authorities to tackle the damage caused by the recent severe weather conditions, [8940]

Mr. Kynoch

So far as the Bellwin scheme is concerned, I refer the hon. Member to the answer my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for Ayr (Mr. Gallie) on 10 January,Official Report, columns 235–38.

The Bellwin scheme does not relate to capital expenditure, but I recognise that local authorities may have to incur additional capital expenditure as a result of the recent severe weather. Any representations from authorities facing serious difficulties in this regard will be sympathetically considered in the light of available resources.