HC Deb 05 November 1970 vol 805 cc448-9W
Mr. Bray

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment, on the institution of priority sectors for local authority expenditure, what action he proposes to take to safeguard the interests of local authorities whose infrastructure improvement, housing, or other capital investment projects have been delayed by the financial crises of the last six years.

Mr. Graham Page

I must ask the hon. Member to await the forthcoming circular on local authority capital programmes.

Mr. Bray

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he intends to issue a circular upon loan sanctions to local authorities; and what change there will be in procedure subsequent to 31st March, 1971.

Mr. Graham Page

My right hon. Friend hopes to be able later this month to issue a circular setting out new procedures which will substantially relax the amount of detailed control he at present exercises over local authorities' capital projects.

Mr. Bray

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he proposes instituting priority sectors for local authority expenditure which will be subject to budgetary controls based upon the average expenditure of individual local authorities in the preceding three years to 31st March, 1971.

Mr. Graham Page

My right hon. Friend has no proposals for new controls on revenue expenditure. On capital expenditure, I must ask the hon. Member to await the forthcoming circular.