§ 26. Mr. Trippierasked the Secretary of State for the Environment when next he intends to meet the Association of District councils; and whether he proposes to have any further discussion with it on the rate support grant.
§ Mr. KingMy right hon. Friend's next scheduled meetings with the Association of District Councils is the next meeting of the Consultative Council on Local Government Finance, which is likely to be in March. However, my officials will be discussing rate support grant issues with all the local authority associations at a meeting on 2 March.
40. Mr. W. E. Garrettasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the average level of rate increases assumed by his Department in determining the 1982–83 rate support grant settlement.
§ Mr. KingThe setting of rates is a matter for individual local authorities. If all local authorities aim to meet the targets we have set them in the 1982–83 rate support grant settlement, rate increases in April should below.
§ Mr. Christopher Priceasked the Secretary of State for the. Environment what is the financial cost in computer time so far incurred by his Department in calculations in any way relating to the 1981–82 rate support grant settlement and any subsequent budget revisions involving changes in provisional grant holdback.