HC Deb 07 May 1975 vol 891 cc1426-7
23. Dr. Edmund Marshall

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the largest percentage increase in the final domestic rate demand anywhere in England between 1974–75 and 1975–76.

Mr. Oakes

The largest percentage increase in domestic rate poundage in England is 75 per cent. for the London borough of Waltham Forest.

Dr. Marshall

Is the Minister aware that the general rate in the former Thorne rural district, now part of the Doncaster metropolitan borough, has increased by up to 80.1 per cent. between last year and this year after more than doubling in the previous year? Does he not think that such extreme cases require special consideration by the central Government.

Mr. Oakes

I am afraid that I do not have the figures for a particular former rural district, but for Booth Ferry as a whole the average increase is 56 per cent. I would remind my hon. Friend that the average cash payment per household in that area is £51 in a year against £147 in Waltham Forest.

Mr. Speed

Does the Minister agree that since 60 per cent. of expenditure by local authorities comprises wages and salaries, unless pay claims in the public sector are moderated next year's rate increases will make this year's increases look like the acme of moderation?

Mr. Oakes

The Government, and certainly my right hon. Friend, have constantly endeavoured to tell the House that that is precisely what we are trying to do—namely, to get moderation in pay claims. I should like to hear what the Opposition's policy is in regard to wage claims.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

Will the Minister give some facts and figures to show to what extent the higher rates are due to the fact that the people did not give their full-hearted consent and, therefore, certainly did not endorse the ludicrous so-called reorganisation of local government instituted by the Conservative Government?

Mr. Oakes

Some of the increases are due to local government reorganisation, but the main factor is inflation, from which local authorities suffer as much as anybody else.

Mr. Peter Walker

In view of fact that the London borough of Waltham Forest was not brought under local government reorganisation by the Conservative Government—

Mr. Arthur Lewis

Yes, it was.

Mr. Walker

—how does the Minister account for the fact that the largest rate increase took place there?

Mr. Oakes

That was carried out by a previous Tory Government. The right hon. Gentleman is well aware that last year London escaped many of the increases which the rest of the country had to bear. I find it astonishing that he should ask such a question in view of the fact that he was responsible for the reorganisation of local government.