§ 35. Mr. JackTo ask the Lord President of the Council how many debates there have been since 1 January on local government finance.
§ Sir Geoffrey HoweThere was a debate in January, and there have been two Adjournment debates on specific aspects of local government finance.
§ Mr. JackDoes my right hon. and learned Friend agree that more debates on local government finance would have provided us with an opportunity to tell the people of Lancashire that their community charge could have been £60 lower had the Conservative group's views been put forward? We could have rebutted the allegation that the Government have not given extra money to Lancashire, and we could have told people about the excellent rebate and transitional protection facilities.
§ Sir Geoffrey HoweI agree with my hon. Friend, and I congratulate him on the way in which he has been able to get his point across, notwithstanding the absence of debates. Scarcely a day passes—certainly not a day on which I am answering questions—without his making the point very forcefully. I underline the point.