§ Mr. Richard Wainwrightasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give an assurance that those authorities, like Kirklees, which could be adversely affected by changes in the rate support grant distribution formula will have the benefit, as in the past, of damping and safety net arrangements without which ratepayers in those areas could suffer increases in their rate bills.
§ Mr. KingI refer the hon. Member to the reply my right hon. Friend gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Streatham (Mr. Shelton) on 16 November.
§ Mr. Heddleasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, in view of the rise in the minimum lending rate announced on 15 November, he proposes to pay two tranches of the rate
48W
TOTAL PUBLIC SECTOR INVESTMENT BY AGENCY—TOTAL £'000S 1978–79 1979–80 1980–81 1981–82 Total Percentage GLC 7,599 12,597.0 20,725.0 36,708.0 77,629.0 33 Greenwich 1,352 3,016.9 2,996.9 5,964.2 13,330.0 6 Lewisham 1,808 1,491.0 871.6 612.9 4,783.5 2 Newham 9,305 10,245.5 11,899.3 14,884.1 46,333.9 19 Southwark 7,556 5,554.0 7,271.0 4,709.0 25,090.0 11 Tower Hamlets 7,063 10,944.0 13,633.0 10,435.0 42,075.0 18 ILEA 1,550 1,785.0 2,190.0 2,359.0 7,884.0 3 Area health authorities 530 220.0 865.4 1,026.9 2,642.3 1 Thames water authority 2,585 2,771.0 1,620.0 1,820.0 8,796.0 3 Housing associations — 3,240.0 5,200.0 673.0 9,113.0 4 Total 39,348 51,864.4 67,272.2 79,192.1 237,676.7 — Percentage 17 22 28 33 — 100 support grant to local authorities in December 1979 to January 1980 of offset the unbudgeted charges at a time of heavy outturn.
§ Mr. KingThe arrangements for payment of rate support grant are made on a timetable which has been agreed with the Treasury and the local authority associations, and there are no proposals to change those arrangements.