§ Mr. Churchillasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received from the metropolitan districts of Trafford, Knowsley and Tameside in regard to the criteria for rate support grant; and what reply he has given.
§ Mr. OakesThe three authorities wrote to my Department in October setting out a number of respects in which they considered the 1974–75 rate support grant arrangements were unfavourable to them, and asking me to receive a deputation. I was unable to agree to their request, as my negotiations with the local authority associations over the grant 357W settlement for 1975–76 were at an advanced stage. However, several of the three authorities' points have been met by the terms of the settlement. All will receive substantially above-average increases in the needs element of rate support grant next year.