§ 10. Mr. Boothasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what was the estimated rate support grant paid to the County Borough of Barrow-in-Furness for 1969–70; and what was the corresponding figure for 1964–65.
§ Mr. GreenwoodThe latest estimate of rate support grants payable to the County Borough of Barrow-in-Furness for 1969–70 is £2,365,907. The corresponding grants for 1964–65 totalled £1,476,952.
§ Mr. BoothIs my right hon. Friend aware that, without this rate support grant increase, the local authority would have had to increase its rates by 9s. 3d. in the £to maintain the present level of local government services provided in the county borough?
§ Mr. GreenwoodYes, Sir. My hon. Friend is, I believe, perfectly correct, and it is worth pointing out also that the effect of the domestic element in the case of Barrow is to keep the domestic rate poundage in the present financial year at the same level as for 1969–70.
§ Sir A. V. HarveyTo save the time of the House, would the right hon. Gentleman recommend to his hon. Friends the fact that all of this could have been put in the Labour candidate's election address on Thursday?
§ Mr. MolloyIt will be.
§ Mr. GreenwoodIt is not for me to rule on a matter of that kind. I hope that the hon. Gentleman will not say anything improper about my hon. Friend's wish to elicit details about the great degree of generosity which the Government have shown in this matter.