§ Mr. Michael Morrisasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what percentage of the total local authority transportation grant money will be paid through the rate support grant and the transport supplementary grant, respectively;
(2) whether that part of the transport grant that is now to be paid through the rate support grant will be based on a rate support grant formula specially prepared to reflect transport expenditure needs rather than population.
§ Mr. OakesRate Support Grant is given in aid of local authority revenue generally; no part of it is specifically allocated to expenditure on transport. The aim is to ensure that the distribution of the rate support and transport supplementary grants reflects as closely as possible differences between the overall spending needs and resources of local authorities. I expect the Transport Supplementary Grant for 1975–76 to be similar in total to what would have been distributed in the specific grants being discontinued.