§ Mr. Murphyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has given special consideration to the question of transitional aid for Welwyn and Hatfield district in consequence of the level of rate support grant for 1981–82.
§ Mr. KingThe block grant entitlements of all non-metropolitan district councils are subject to a two-stage safety net designed to limit the effects of the change to the new system at ratepayer level. Welwyn and Hatfield district council benefits from the first stage, which limits to 6p grant losses arising from the general features of the new system, if authorities spend in line with Government52W guidelines. The council is estimated to lose a further 0.8p because of the reduced rate of grant support on higher levels of expenditure.