§ 9. Sir C. Osborneasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will announce his decision on paragraph 20 of Circular No. 12/67, that payment of grant under Sections 7 and 8 of the Local Government Act, 1966, for expenditure on recreational projects, will be made forthwith; and not be subject to further regulations, and administrative arrangements resulting in delay.
§ Mr. MacDermotConsultations with the local authority associations are in their final stages. My right hon. Friend hopes to make regulations and issue a memorandum shortly.
§ Sir C. OsborneWhy did the Minister write to the Immingham Council in my constituency on 12th September promising that an explanatory memorandum would be published without delay when he has still done nothing? What does he mean by "without delay"? Next Christmas?
§ Mr. MacDermotWithout delay means without delay. The hon. Gentleman 229 must not say that we have done nothing. We have been continuing consultations. These have led to modifications of the draft regulations, and we have to consult the local authorities again about the modifications. We are pressing the matter on and, meanwhile, we have invited the Immingham Council to which he has referred, to submit its case and the details of its proposal so that they will not be held up by any delay in producing the memorandum.