§ The following Question stood upon the Order Paper.
§ 32. Sir D. RENTONTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much money Huntingdonshire and Peterborough will be authorised to spend on civil defence matters during the financial year 1968–69; and how much of it will be contributed by the Exchequer.
§ Sir D. RentonOn a point of order, Mr. Speaker. Someone has altered my Question. "Huntingdonshire and Peterborough" should be "the County of Huntingdon and Peterborough".
§ Mr. SpeakerI think perhaps the right hon. and learned Gentleman should seek to correct the Question, not to charge anyone with altering it.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. David Ennals)Discussions are proceeding with the local authorities and it is as yet too early to say how much will be available for each.
§ Sir D. RentonWhy is it too early? I understand that these matters have already been the subject of discussion and have been negotiated. Is it not a very meagre sum that is being allowed? Is that possibly the reason why we are not being given a straight answer at this moment?
§ Mr. EnnalsThe right hon. and learned Gentleman is quite wrong. There have, of course, been discussions, but the authorities have not yet submitted detailed estimates for 1968–69. Until they do so we cannot give the answer.