§ 15. Dr. Marekasked the Secretary of State for Wales how many authorities are planning to spend in 1983–84 at or below their revenue expenditure targets where these targets are less than the grant-related expenditure assessment.
§ Mr. Nicholas EdwardsTwenty.
§ Dr. MarekDoes not that show that the authorities that have been hardest hit are those that have continued to exercise restraint in their budgets? Is it not time that the Secretary of State realised that and accepted that targets have historically been based on past spending, and it not time that he freed those authorities from any grant hold-back or any penalties if their spending is below the grant-related expenditure assessment?
§ Mr. EdwardsNo, Sir. I shall cite the example of Wrexham, the hon. Gentleman's constituency, to provide the reason why I say that. The reason why there has been a reduction between the 1983–84 budget and the 1984–85 target for Wrexham is that it has not increased its average council house rent by the recommended 85p per week. Indeed, it has refused to increase the rent at all. The cash reduction can therefore be blamed almost entirely on the authority's unwillingness to recognise the clear need to bring council house rents more into line with those charged by other district authorities in Wales.
§ Mr. RogersCan the Secretary of State inform the House—and, as my hon. Friend said earlier, a simple yes will do—whether the cost of public housing per unit in Wales is less than the cost of public housing in the Falkland Islands?
§ Mr. EdwardsTo receive an answer to that question the hon. Gentleman would have put down a separate question. He will know that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence has already stated that he will be reviewing decisions about certain housing plans for the Falklands.