§ 53. Mr. Blenkinsopasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will make a statement on the report of the Inter-Departmental Committee on the operation of the Exchequer Equalisation Grants.
§ Mr. MarplesThe report of the Committee has been published so as to enable all concerned to give the fullest consideration to the proposed changes. In due course my right hon. Friend will consult the associations of local authorities and lay a White Paper reporting the results of this investigation of the operation of the grants.
§ Mr. BlenkinsopIs the hon. Gentleman aware that in their Report this Committee do nothing to help the serious situation of an authority like Newcastle-upon-Tyne, which receives no grant and is in a serious condition because of the derating position, and will he receive representations from that city?
§ Mr. MarplesBut the House will forgive my right hon. Friend if he did not give full weight to the considered and expressed views of the Association of Local Authorities, which will not be available until late September or early October.
§ Mr. PagetIs the Minister aware that the Association of Local Authorities consists of a majority of authorities who receive the grant and is not really representative of the authorities who do not receive the grant?
§ Mr. MarplesBut the authorities who do not receive the grant are represented in the Association of Local Authorities as well as those who receive the grant.