§ Mr. David Howellasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether he will make available detailed information to supplement his White Paper on Public Expenditure, Command Paper No. 4234, to enable individual local authorities to translate the consumption of economic resources into terms of local government financing as far as capital expenditure is concerned;
(2) whether he is satisfied that the information given in his White Paper on Public Expenditure, Command Paper No. 4234, is sufficient to translate the consumption of economic resources by local authorities in terms of local government finance, as far as capital expenditure is concerned; what representations he has had on this matter from local authorities; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. William RodgersSo far as capital expenditure by local authorities is concerned, the White Paper indicates the basis on which this will be controlled by the various Government Departments responsible for the functional programmes. It is for these departments to give whatever further information may be necessary about the implications for the expenditure of individual authorities on the various services. My right hon. Friend has had no representations on this subject.
§ Mr. David Howellasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is satisfied that the information he gave in his White Paper, Command Paper No. 4234, is sufficient for local authorities to 36W be clear as to the amount of money they will receive from the Government in 1971–72; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. William RodgersThe White Paper gives an indication of the amount of relevant local expenditure in 1971–72 on which rate support grants to local authorities will be based. Although the actual amount of these grants and their distribution are subject to the outcome of discussions with the local authority associations later this year, I am satisfied that the information in the White Paper is adequate to provide a basis for financial planning by local authorities.