§ Mr. Altonasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the current projections for average rate increases in England and Wales for 1981; and what was the average increase in 1980.
§ Mr. KingMy right hon. Friend made no predictions about average rate increases for 1980–82. I refer the hon. Member to the answers which my right hon. Friend gave during his statement to the House on the rate support grant settlement on 16 December. The average general rate increase in 1980–81 was 23 per cent.