§ 35. Mr. Lawrenceasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the percentage increase in local government spending since February 1974.
§ Mr. ShoreI refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Greenwich Woolwich, East (Mr. Cartwright) and the hon. Member for Reading, North (Mr. Durant) earlier today.
§ 36. Mr. Neubertasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what further consultations he is planning with local 195W authorities over the overspending referred to in Circular 45/76.
§ Mr. ShoreFurther consultations will take place at the next meeting of the Consultative Council on Local Government Finance on Tuesday 27th July 1976.
§ 42. Mr. Ridleyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will now introduce a cash limit for the expenditure of every local authority.
§ Mr. ShoreNo. The cash limit is applied with some exceptions in the aggregate Exchequer grants in the rate support grant main Order for 1976–77. I have no powers to go beyond this.
§ 57. Mr. Atkinsonasked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to announce the results of his inquiry into local government expenditure; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John SilkinI refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State to the hon. Member for Reading, North (Mr. Durant) and my hon. Friend the Member for Woolwich, East (Mr. Cartwright) earlier today.