§ Mr. Marlowasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the estimated final outturn per capita of resources element for each shire county and each London borough for 1979–80.
§ Mr. KingThe information will not be available until January. I shall write to my hon. Friend then,
§ Mr. Marlowasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how charges in needs elements for non-metropolitan counties have been calculated for 1980–81; and why, in view of the fact that Northamptonshire is an expanding county, it is to receive a lower than average benefit.
§ Mr. KingThe needs element is intended to compensate for variations in authorities'assessed expenditure needs per head of population. Northamptonshire's population has increased, but its assessed expenditure needs per head have fallen relative to other shire counties. Therefore, while its grant has increased, it is by a lesser amount than the average increase of shire counties for 1980–81.