§ Mr. Hooleyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has for tightening control by central Government over the activities of local government, in particular with reference to the level of local expenditure and freedom to raise revenue from local rates.
§ Mr. KingWe expect all local authorities to behave responsibly by restricting their expenditure and raising in rates no more than is essential, and we propose to amend the rate support grant arrangements to provide an incentive for such behaviour; but we have no plans to remove authorities' freedom to make their own spending and rating decisions.