§ Mr. Hardyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list those local authorities where his Department expects rate increases to be very substantial next year.
§ Mr. KingLocal authorities are themselves responsible for determining the level of their expenditure in 1981–82 and any consequent rate increases. If authorities take due account of the Government's overall targets for expenditure reductions and for controlling their costs, rate increases should be contained within reasonable levels.