§ Mr. Ovendenasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is satisfied that the current formula for calculating rate support grant affords equal recognition to the needs of urban industrial areas in shire counties as to similar areas in metropolitan counties.
§ Mr. Guy BarnettThe factors in the formula for the distribution of needs grant give the same weight to the expenditure needs of all areas. At present needs grant is paid to non-metropolitan counties and not to districts, and it is for the counties to determine their own expenditure priorities. The possibility of paying a proportion of needs grant direct to the districts is being discussed between the Association of County Councils and the Association of District Councils.