HC Deb 16 February 1994 vol 237 cc943-4
15. Mr. Burns

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to meet the leader of Chelmsford borough council to discuss local government finance.

Mr. Curry

I shall do my best to respond positively to an invitation.

Mr. Burns

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for that reply. If he were to come to Chelmsford to meet the leader of Chelmsford borough council, Councillor Wedon, he and the other Conservative councillors would explain how they have reduced the council tax bill by £20 in the current year while maintaining services. He would also hear that that good work for the taxpayer will be undercut by the increases that Labour and Liberal-controlled Essex county council is imposing on charge payers by spending up to its standard spending assessment.

Mr. Curry

I know that the present leadership in Chelmsford has tried to pull back the council from the exorbitant levels of expenditure reached by the Liberal Democrat party and I am sad that those efforts will be undermined by the opposition parties of Essex county council. That will end the tradition of sound rule.

Mr. Skinner

Is the Minister aware that the Bolsover district council will travel to Chelmsford and they will pass all those cones on the M1 to discuss the important question of the landslip, which they discussed with the Minister, on which six houses have already been demolished—[HON. MEMBERS: "Not in Chelmsford.] We are prepared to discuss it at Chelmsford, at Finchley, at Westminster—

Madam Speaker

Order. It is being discussed here, at Westminster. The hon. Gentleman's question is irrelevant.

Mr. Skinner

We will travel anywhere to get the money.

Madam Speaker

Order. We are in Westminster now.