§ 9. Mr. Proctorasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received from Basildon district council on the subject of rate-capping; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Kenneth BakerBasildon council has made a number of representations about rate limitation, but it has not yet said whether it accepts the proposed rate limit which my right hon. Friend announced on 11 December. The council has until 15 January to make representations about the proposed limit.
§ Mr. ProctorDoes my right hon. Friend think that Basildon district council has not contacted his office because it is embarrassed over the extravagance of its earlier claims over the impact of rate-capping, or because of its embarrassment over its extravagant spending on items such as housing administration? What does Basildon district council have to hide?
§ Mr. BakerIt is difficult to probe the motivations of Basildon district council. It budgeted for growth last year of 20 per cent., which is totally unrealistic. It can certainly live within the rate limit that we have set. The Audit Commission produced a report on Basildon, showing that it spends £600,000 more than the average council on its housing administration, and £180,000 on public relations.