§ 11. Mr. Raffanasked the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received about the reduction in Clwyd's block grant figure for 1986–87 between the provisional announcement last July and December's settlement.
§ Mr. Nicholas EdwardsThe county chief executive and treasurer have written to me, as has my hon. Friend.
§ Mr. RaffanWhen my right hon. Friend decides how to re-distribute the underclaimed grant, will he give special consideration to Clwyd's financial predicament, which his own officials concede has been aggravated by what they describe as the "unfortunate" wide difference between its provisional and final block grant figures?
§ Mr. EdwardsI agree that there was a change between the provisional indications and the final figure, for the reasons that have been given previously in the House and in correspondence. I shall certainly bear in mind what my hon. Friend says, but I have also made it clear that it is not my intention to use those funds to encourage or compensate high-spending authorities. I shall have to take proper account of those authorities which have sought to meet, and have succeeded in meeting the Government's objective.