HC Deb 01 March 1977 vol 927 cc130-1W
Mr. Stan Crowther

asked the Secretary of State for Transport why subsantial sums of money due in grants to local authorities in respect of expenditure on roads incurred before local government reorganisation have not yet been paid; and whether he is in a position to indicate when nearly £3 million due to South Yorkshire County Council, the nonpayment of which costs the ratepayers £350,000 a year in interest charges, is expected to be paid.

Mr. William Rodgers

In accordance with the proper obligation of my Department to ensure that it can satisfy Parliament about the public expenditure for which it is responsible, payment of these balances has been delayed pending full substantiation of the claims. Discussions are taking place with the local authority associations about proposals for a general settlement of these and similar claims by other authorities.