§ 24. Mr. Loydenasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how the Liverpool District Council will be affected by the changes in the rate support grant.
§ Mr. OakesThe domestic rate relief in Liverpool for 1974–75 will now be 13p in the pound, instead of 7p in the pound proposed by the previous Government. The corresponding increase in the estimated rate support grant is £1.85 million.
§ Mr. LoydenI welcome the almost life-saving effect on Liverpool of the Government's decision. When making the assessment of the 1975–76 rate support grant, will my hon. Friend consider giving more positive discrimination in areas such as Liverpool which still have housing and other environmental problems?
§ Mr. OakesI am grateful for what my hon. Friend has said. The additional assistance to Merseyside is the effect that we had in mind in adopting a flat rate of domestic relief. We will certainly be considering how we can allocate central Government funds more fairly next year.
§ Mr. RaisonCan the hon. Gentleman say whether the additional money which will now go to the big cities as the result of the reallocation of the domestic element in the rate support grant will be spent on additional services, as it should be, as opposed to reducing the rates?