HC Deb 04 November 1996 vol 284 cc902-3
9. Mr. Murphy

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he last met leaders of Welsh local authorities to discuss the forthcoming local government financial settlement. [286]

Mr. Gwilym Jones

On 23 September 1996.

Mr. Murphy

Is the Minister aware that the constant underfunding of our local authorities, including this year's settlement, has meant that our schools are starved of cash and that the south Wales fire authority is in the deepest financial crisis? Despite what has been said this afternoon, and bearing in mind the fact that the forthcoming settlement will be the last one made under a Conservative Government for many years to come, will the Minister lift the dreadful burden from Welsh local authorities so that they can deliver the services that are needed so desperately by the Welsh people?

Mr. Jones

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has already reminded the House how great an increase local government in Wales had this year. What the hon. Gentleman is complaining about is decisions made by councilors—usually Labour councilors—in Wales. They are the ones who determine how much is spent on our schools and fire brigades and it is their priorities that should be held up and examined by the hon. Gentleman.

Sir Raymond Powell

Will the Minister tell the House and Bridgend council why, this year, there has been a £6 million reduction in the estimate of the funding that the council needs to carry out the services that it inherited as a result of the Government's diktat that there should be a unitary authority? Is he aware that the council has closed the Ogmore swimming pool in the Ogmore valley and the Ogmore residential school in Ogmore-by-Sea and that it has taken a number of other decisions as a result of the cut in funding? If the Minister is to decide what the council will receive next year, I hope that he will consider what was left out this year. In addition, will the Minister consider that teachers in Garth primary school teach classes of 39 pupils? That is not what we expect and it is not what we will have when the Conservatives get out and a Labour Government is elected.

Mr. Jones

I fear that the hon. Gentleman is falling into the usual trap of dwelling on local authorities' wish lists and their typical wish to be high spenders. That is the problem that he is referring to. The simple facts of the matter are that Welsh local government has had, and is spending, more this year than it was able to spend last year. What the hon. Gentleman should question is the priorities that councilors—usually Labour councilors—have applied when deciding where to spend that money. We have encouraged them to spend it on education and social services. The hon. Gentleman should question where they actually spent it.