§ Mr. Michael Lathamasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will introduce legislation enabling him to give special cash grants to local authorities which face heavy sewerage charges from regional water authorities under the provisions of the Water Act 1973; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. CroslandThe previous administration announced that in fixing the aggregate of the rate support grants they had taken into account the fact that sewerage, which was previously paid for out of the rates, would in future be financed by charges. I have already informed the House that I intend over the coming months to make a thorough review of the whole grant distribution system to see 287W how we can improve it for 1975–76. But I have no present proposals for additional grants to particular authorities.