HC Deb 31 July 1974 vol 878 cc314-6W
Mr. Russell Johnston

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what proportion of local government revenue came from Government grants in each of the years between 1969 and 1973; and what proportion of local government revenue came from rates.

Mr. Oakes

The revenue of local authorities in England and Wales, exclusive of local authority income from fees, charges, rents, etc., proportioned between Government grants and rates has been as follows:

Year Local government revenue Proportion met from government grants Proportion met from rates
£ million Per cent. Per cent.
1969–70 3,469 56.3 43.7
1970–71 3,924 58.2 41.8
1971–72 4,566 58.1 41.9
1972–73 5,304 58.9 41.1

Notes:

  • 1. The grant figures including housing subsidies.
  • 2. The figures for 1972–73 are estimated, and details for 1973–74 are not yet available.

Mr. Cormack

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will now announce the membership and full terms of reference of the commission to examine the rating system; and when details will be given advising on the submission of evidence to the commission.

Mr. Crosland

May I refer the hon. Member to my answer yesterday to my hon. Friend the Member for Meriden (Mr. Tomlinson). I am sure that the Chairman of the Committee of Inquiry will soon call for the submission of evidence, but hon. Members will understand that the committee is independent of Government and it is for the committee to decide its method of working.

Mr. Tomlinson

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he is yet in a position to announce the chairman and members of the committee of inquiry into local government finance.

Mr. Crosland

Yes. I am pleased to be able to announce that Mr. Frank Layfield, QC, has accepted the Chairmanship of the Committee of Inquiry and that the following have agreed to serve on the committee:

Mr. Alexander L. Bushnell, CBE, County Clerk, Treasurer, Collector, Perthshire County Council.

Mr. John Cartwright, JP, Member of Council, London Borough of Greenwich.

Professor Alan Day, Professor of Economics, London School of Economics.

Mr. Geoffrey Drain, JP, General Secretary, NALGO.

Dr. George W. Jones, Senior Lecturer in Political Science, London School of Economics.

Mr. Barry Thornton Jones, Chief Rating Surveyor, Imperial Chemical Industries.

Dame Kathleen Ollerenshaw, OBE, Member of Manchester District Council.

Viscount Ridley, TD, DL, Chairman, Northumberland County Council.

Mr. George C. Sharp, OBE, Convener, Fife County Council.

Professor John Stewart, Associate Director, Institute of Local Government Studies, University of Birmingham.

Mr. Maurice Stonefrost, Controller of Financial Services, Greate London Council.

I shall be announcing one or two further appointments to the committee shortly, including a Welsh member.

As I explained in the House on 27th June, the terms of reference of the committee will be to review the whole system of local government finance in England, Scotland and Wales and to make recommendations".—[OFFICIAL REPORT, 27th June 1974; Vol. 875, c. 1771.]

I have asked for the committee's report by the end of 1975.