§ Mr. Murphyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give details of the representations received from Welwyn Hatfield district council regarding rate support grant 1985–86 and of the Government's response to the points raised.
§ Mr. WaldegraveWhen I met members of the council in July they sought three changes to the block grant system: a discount for areas with high rateable values per head, an allowance in GRE for the special needs of new towns, and a different treatment of the Metropolitan police precept outside Greater London. They opposed any change in the arrangement whereby potential surpluses on housing revenue account are disregarded. The rate support grant report which the House approved on 16 January meets their concern on the third and fourth points.
§ Mr. Murphyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give details of the representations received from Hertfordshire county council regarding rate support grant settlement 1985–86 and of the Government's response to the points made.
§ Mr. WaldegraveI shall write to my hon. Friend.