§ Mr. Terlezkiasked the Secretary of State for Wales when he will announce the local authority capital allocations for 1984–85; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Nicholas EdwardsAuthorities have been notified today of their allocations for 1984–85. I have decided that the total amount of capital allocation available for distribution to local authorities in Wales next year should be about £293 million. Of this total I have today released approximately £250 million. A further £2.2 million has been earmarked for specific housing purposes.
In addition, I will be making a separate announcement about the urban programme, including urban development 91W grant allocations early in the new year; and at this stage have set aside £21.5 million as the capital element. The balance of the resources for 1984–85, amounting to about £19 million, will be held as an unallocated reserve until such time as I can be assured that the 1984–85 capital cash limit is not likely to be exceeded.
The total amount of capital resources available for next year is within £6 million of the sum allocated in the present financial year. Authorities will, therefore, be able to maintain a substantial programme of worthwhile capital schemes.