§ 22. Mr. Stoddartasked the Secretary of State for the Environment why the statutory meeting of the Consultative Council on Local Government Finance scheduled for 20 November, in order to give details of the 1982–83 rate support grant settlement, was cancelled.
§ Mr. KingThe meeting was cancelled because the details were not available at the time of the meeting.
§ Mr. StoddartI must confess that I hardly heard the reply, but, quite obviously, as it came from the right hon. Gentleman, it must be completely unsatisfactory. I do not know whether it confirms the arrogance that has been shown this afternoon, but it seems to show that the Government's policy in relation to local government and local government finance is in complete and utter chaos, which is exactly what the Government are in altogether.
§ Mr. KingI am not sure to what I am supposed to respond. I congratulate the hon. Gentleman on letting his prejudices leak out so publicly. The reasons for the answer that I gave will be apparent very shortly.