HL Deb 21 October 1998 vol 593 cc155-6WA
Baroness Hilton of Eggardon

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will provide financial assistance to Warwickshire County Council, Stratford on Avon District Council, Worcester City Council and Northampton Borough Council under the Bellwin scheme for costs incurred following the severe flooding on the weekend of 9 to 12 April. [HL3498]

Lord Whitty

Warwickshire, Worcester, Northampton and Stratford upon Avon councils are all to be given cash under the Bellwin scheme after successful applications.

We are satisfied financial assistance under the Bellwin scheme is justified in these cases given the exceptional nature of the floods and the damage they caused. Schemes will, therefore, be established under Section 155 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989. Grant will be paid to each authority to cover 85 per cent. of eligible costs above a threshold and which have been incurred by the authority in dealing with the flooding.