§ Mr. Home Robertsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total value of rate support grant paid to Lothian regional council in 1979 and 1985, respectively; and what percentage of the expenditure of the council those figures represented.
§ Mr. AncramTotal rate support grant paid to Lothian regional council in respect of 1979–80 was £134.1 million. The grant paid in respect of 1985–86 will not be known until final expenditure information is available. The grant payable for 1985–86 on the basis of the Rate Support Grant (Scotland) Order 1985 is £182 million. This has already been adjusted for grant penalties and interest rate changes and will be further adjusted for these reasons as necessary. These grant figures are 52.6 per cent. of total expenditure, including loan charges, in 1979–80 and 45.6 per cent. in 1985–86.