§ 38. Mr. T. SMITH (for Mr. THORNE)asked the Minister of Health how much of the block grants of 14s. 10d. and 11s. 8d. in the £ received, respectively, by the counties of Carmarthen and Cumberland is due to de-Tating of agricultural land and how much to other purposes?
§ Mr. SHAKESPEAREAs the hon. Member will be aware, the block grant is at present distributed by a method which is partly based on the loss of rates and grants and partly on a formula intended to reflect relative need and capacity to pay, and the amount apportioned to any area is available to meet the expenditure on the general services of the area. No particular portion of the present grants can, therefore, be distinguished as due to de-rating of agricultural land.