§ 33. Mr. Dormandasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will introduce legislation to permit local authorities freedom to spend as they wish the product of a sixpenny rate.
§ Mr. Graham PageLocal authorities already have power to spend up to the product of a penny rate in the interests of their area or its inhabitants. The question of a greater freedom for them to spend money is being considered in the context of the reorganisation of local government.
§ Mr. DormandIn giving a cautious welcome to that reply, may I ask whether the Minister is aware that the local authority associations would welcome such legislation? Would he not agree that to do this would be in keeping with the Government's philosophy of freeing the local authorities, particularly when they were so quick to withdraw Circular 10/65, from the Department of Education and Science concerning comprehensive education, under the guise of freeing local authorities?
§ Mr. PageYes. I think that there is a case for considering again this freedom 404 to spend a penny and, perhaps, increase the sum. We are certainly looking into this.