§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish, or place in the Library, a copy of his note of 4 December to local authorities concerning the rate support grant settlement for next year.
§ Mr. KingThis note was discussed by the Consultative Council on Local Government Finace as part of the final stage of negotiations on the 1981–82 rate support grant settlement. By agreement with the local authority associations, these negotiations are conducted in confidence, and at their specific request my right hon. Friend confirmed that the document would not be published. A full statement of our proposals for next year's RSG settlement is contained in the Rate Support Grant Report (England) 1980, which was laid before the House on 16 December and was debated on 14 January.