HC Deb 07 December 1977 vol 940 cc752-3W
Mr. Stephen Ross

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he has in mind to amend the present method of assessing the needs element of the rate support grant to ensure that those authorities which face greater demands on their services due to increasing population are adequately compensated.

Mr. Shore

In general, the larger the population of an authority, the more grant it receives; but there is no evidence that the per head expenditure needs of authorities with increasing population are growing faster than elsewhere.

Mr. Sainsbury

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) whether factor (h) (persons in households without the exclusive use of hot water supply, fixed bath and inside water closet) in Schedule 1 of the Rate Support Grant Order 1976 was calculated on 1971 census information only; and, if so, what is his estimate of the accuracy with which this information reflects the 1977 position;

(2) wether factor (k) (number of lone families with dependent children) in Schedule 1 of the Rate Support Grant Order 1976 was calculated on 1971 census information only; and, if so, what is his estimate of the accuracy with which this information reflects the 1977 position.

Mr. Guy Barnett

Both factors are based on 1971 census information. This provides the most recent evidence of the distribution between local authorities of sub-standard housing and lone-parent families with dependent children. There is no basis for estimating accurately how closely this information reflects the current position, though an analysis of 1966 and 1971 census data showed that changes in incidence over that period were small by comparison with the size of differences in incidence between authorities. Both factors proved to be significantly correlated with local authorities' expenditure in the regression analysis for 1978–79.

Mr. Sainsbury

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will list in the Official Report what other methods of obtaining the needs assessment formula for the Rate Support Grant Order 1977 were developed and tested but rejected.

Mr. Guy Barnett

This Question can only be answered at some length, and I shall write to the hon. Member.