§ Dr. Marekasked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the latest information he has relating to local authority spending totals for the year 1983–84; and how they compare with the planned figures.
§ Mr. Nicholas EdwardsI estimate that local authorities' current expenditure in 1983–84 will be £1,405 million compared with the planned figure of £1,358 million in "The Government's Expenditure Plans 1983–84 to 1985–86" (Cmnd. 8789).
707WPlanned capital provision for 1983–84 was originally £259 million, but was increased to £309 million last December. On the information presently available I expect expenditure for the year to be broadly in line with this increased level of provision.