§ Mr. David MarshallTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list by local authority area, the total number of houses in each local authority which have been reported as suffering damage as a result of the recent severe weather conditions. [8939]
§ Mr. Raymond S. RobertsonThe information requested is not yet available centrally as local authorities are continuing to assess the damage caused. However, the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities is collecting information from individual local authorities on the position. When I met COSLA's housing committee on 12 January I asked for the information that it collects to be passed on to the Scottish Office as soon as a full picture emerges and it has undertaken to do so.
Local authorities may have limited information about houses where the occupants did not call upon the council for assistance.