§ Q12. Mr. John H. Osbornasked the Prime Minister if she will bring forward legislation to prevent district and county councils from spending in a discriminatory manner as between the various areas within their boundaries.
§ The Prime MinisterI do not think that it would be possible to draft such legislation. Local authorities have certain statutory duties which they must 347W carry out in all areas within their jurisdiction: otherwise they could lay themselves open to the due processes of the law. Variations in expenditure from one area to another should, of course, be in response to different needs.