§ Mr. Loveridgeasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what representations he has had asking that the needs assessment in respect of other borough services for the London borough of Havering for 1979–80, which is set at less than the actual spending per head of the population, should be increased;
(2) if he will alter the complicated formulae for rate support grant purposes which result in a proposed increase of only 4 per cent. in the rate support grant for the London borough of Havering when the Government's forecast of inflation for rate support grant purposes is 7 ½per cent.;
(3) if he will consider changing that part of the needs element of the rate support grant formulae so that the daytime population measurement is removed, in the light of the burden caused to boroughs like the London borough of Havering where a very large proportion of the working population have to travel outside the borough to their work.
§ Mr. Guy Barnett:I have not so far received any representations on the 197980 within-London needs assessment formula, which is based on extensive preparatory work by officials of the London authorities and my Department, and was accepted by the LBA and the GLC. Since the needs assessments are based on a formula of general application, it would not be appropriate to remove factors or make other changes designed to alter the results for particular boroughs.
§ Mr. Loveridgeasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what percentage of the estimated expenditure by the London borough of Havering for 1979–80 will be met by Government funds; and how this figure compares with all other London boroughs.
§ Mr. Guy Barnett:Figures for 1979–80 are not yet available. In 1978–79 an estimated 59 per cent. of Havering's current expenditure was financed by Exchequer grant, compared with an estimated 56 per cent of outer London's current expenditure, and an estimated 37 per cent. of inner London's current expenditure.