asked the Prime Minister if he is aware that dwellers by the sea, whose homes are destroyed by the action of the sea, have no means of recovering compensation or of obtaining help from any source in respect of such loss; and what steps he is taking to remedy this state of affairs.

I regret that there is no State fund from which compensation can be paid in the circumstances described by the hon. and gallant Member, but as indicated by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health on 18th October last in reply to a Question by the hon. and gallant Member for Carnarvon Boroughs (Lieut.-Colonel Price-White), if a local authority feels satisfied that some assistance involving expenditure from rate funds is essential in a special case, he will be prepared to consider any representations they may wish to make to him on the circumstances of that case.