HC Deb 23 November 2000 vol 357 cc260-2W
Mr. Gareth Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he has taken to ensure adequate levels of funding for flood prevention measures in North East Wales. [139334]

Mr. Paul Murphy

Following the bad weather and flooding in Wales, I am happy to confirm that the Welsh budget will be increased by £3 million over a four year period to 2003–04 as a consequence of additional funding made available because of the recent flooding in England. The Assembly can allocate its resources among individual programmes according to its own priorities.

Mr. Gareth Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he(a) has had and (b) is planning to have with other Cabinet colleagues and the First Secretary of the National Assembly to ensure a co-ordinated approach to flood prevention in North East Wales. [139333]

Mr. Paul Murphy

I have regular discussions with my right hon. Friends about a range of matters affecting Wales, including the important topic of flood prevention.

An interdepartmental group, chaired by the Minister responsible for fisheries and the countryside, is looking at a number of issues arising out of the recent floods. This will include the sharing of best practice in relation to flood prevention measures. The National Assembly for Wales is represented on the group.

Mr. Martyn Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what representations he has received from farmers' organisations on the loss of silage and other animal foodstuffs as a direct result of the recent floods; [139461]

(2) what plans he has to assist uninsured farmers in Wales who have suffered financial losses as a result of the recent floods; [139680]

(3) what representations he has received from farmers' organisations on the replacement of hay and straw lost during the recent floods. [139589]

Mr. Paul Murphy

Having visited several parts of Wales in recent weeks, I am acutely aware of the serious impact of the floods on the farming community. It is for the National Assembly to decide what measures may be needed to assist farmers who have suffered loss.

Mr. Wigley

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what additional funding will be made available for the National Assembly of Wales to meet the unforeseen additional costs incurred by local authorities and other public sector agencies in Wales arising from recent acute bad weather and flooding; and if he will make a statement. [138025]

Mr. Paul Murphy

Following the bad weather and flooding in Wales, I am happy to confirm that the Welsh budget will be increased by £3 million over a four year period to 2003–04 as a consequence of additional funding made available because of the recent flooding in England.

There is an existing scheme, the Bellwin scheme, to help local authorities who incur unexpected costs in the work of dealing with floods and other emergencies, and the National Assembly for Wales is responsible for the operation of this scheme in Wales.

Mr. Martyn Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to request the assistance of armed forces personnel in clearing-up those parts of Wales most damaged by the recent floods. [139588]

Mr. Paul Murphy

It is for individual local authorities to request assistance from the Ministry of Defence if they consider this appropriate.

Mr. Martyn Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to make use of National Lottery funds as compensation for residents and businesses in Wales most damaged by the recent floods. [139592]

Kate Hoey

I have been asked to reply.

Lottery-funded relief of the type suggested by my hon. Friend would not be an appropriate use of Lottery money, which funds specific time-limited initiatives that are additional to taxpayer-funded programmes. The Bellwin scheme, which in Wales is administered by the National Assembly, reimburses local authorities for excess costs incurred as a result of severe weather conditions. The Assembly Secretary for Finance and Communities (Edwina Hart) has announced that councils will receive 100 per cent. reimbursement of eligible expenditure above the threshold.

Mr. Martyn Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on planned improvements to the Bellwin Scheme of assistance to local authorities in Wales. [139507]

Mr. Paul Murphy

Operation of the Bellwin Scheme in Wales is a matter for the National Assembly.