§ Mr. Gwynoro Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Wales how the rate support grant provided by the Government to Welsh authorities is affected by the existence of water reservoirs in each local authority area owned by other local authorities; and how much is received in rates by each relevant authority.
§ Mr. John MorrisThe effect of the existence of a water reservoir is to increase the total rateable value of the144W local authority area concerned, so that the local deficiency in rateable value as measured against the national standard rateable value—which is £154 per head of population for 1974–75—is correspondingly reduced. The total extra rate support grant which would be payable to the local authority if the reservoir did not exist is broadly equivalent to the amount the local authority collects in rates in respect of the reservoir. The information on the amount each authority receives in rates in respect of reservoirs is not readily available.