§ Mr. George Grantasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the percentage reduction in the needs element of the rate support grant for Northumberland County Council in the years 1977–78 and 1978–79; and how this will affect the Northumberland county precept.
§ Mr. Guy BarnettThe calculation of grant entitlements for Northumberland County Council under the main rate support grant orders for 1977–78 and for 1978–79 show the following comparisons with grant in the preceding year:
1977–78 over 1976–77 -0.6 per cent. 1978–79 over 1977–78 +0.9 per cent. It is for the county council to decide, in the light of its expenditure proposals, what precept it will levy.