§ 3. Mr. FrenchTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he next plans to meet representatives of Gloucestershire county council; and what subjects he proposes to discuss.
§ The Secretary of State for the Environment (Mr. Nicholas Ridley)I have no immediate plans for a formal visit, although I frequently meet local councillors.
§ Mr. FrenchWhen my right hon. Friend meets representatives of Gloucestershire county council—which, as he will know, is controlled by the Liberals with the support of Labour—will he ask why, in the past three years, the council has increasd its rates more than 50 per cent. while Gloucester city council which is controlled by the Conservatives, plans to reduce its rates by 18 per cent. this year.
§ Mr. RidleyI will certainly ask those questions, but I can answer some of them now. The spending by Gloucestershire county council under the control of the Liberal and Labour parties over the full four-ear period has increased by 46.2 per cent. against an RPI increase of 20.8 per cent. In addition, the council's debt has increased by 70 per cent. and it is planning this year to take £10 million from balances to try to disguise the necessary rate rise on the eve of the elections.