HC Deb 10 February 1970 vol 795 cc310-1W
Mr. Howie

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what proportion of the total expenditure by the County Borough of Luton was met by Government financial aid in each year since it became a county borough; and what is the estimated proportion for the years 1969–70 and 1970–71.

Mr. Denis Howell

Government grants represented the following proportions of the revenue expenditure by Luton County Borough Council met by rates and revenue grants, including housing subsidies:

Per cent.
1964–65 44.5
1965–66 44.9
1966–67 43.2
1967–68 46.1
1968–69 49.4

The figures from 1966–67 onwards are not wholly comparable with those for earlier years as the police grant was no longer payable to the county borough council from 1st April, 1966, when responsibility for the police service was transferred to the Bedfordshire and Luton Police Authority.

Capital grants represented the following proportions of capital expenditure by the county borough council, other than that met from revenue:

Per cent.
1964–65 1.7
1965–66 0.8
1966–67 0.7
1967–68 11.0
1968–69 10.3

Figures from which grant percentages may be derived for 1969–70 and 1970–71 are not yet available.

Mr. Howie

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how much Government financial aid was given to the County Borough of Luton in 1968–69; what is the estimated aid to be given in 1969–70 and 1970–71; and if he will provide details of these payments.

Mr. Denis Howell

Government grants to the county borough of Luton for 1968–69 were as follows:

£
Rate Support Grant:
Needs element 3,635,675
Domestic element 187,116
Total 3,822,791
Rate rebate grant 23,285
Specific revenue grants 191,317
Housing subsidies 286,797
Capital grants 714,543
Total 5,038,733

The latest estimates of rate support grant for 1969–70 and 1970–71 amount to £4,609,703 and £5,037,010 respectively. The amounts of other grants for these years are not yet known.