§ Mr. Roweasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many representations he has received since his most recent authorisation of the level of capital allowance for personal social services; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Tony NewtonFour local authorities have made representations about the level of 1987–88 capital expenditure allocations for the personal social services which were notified to authorities on 22 January 1987. The Government believe that restraint in public spending is essential in the national economic interest. The objective is to make and keep to plans for available expenditure. There has to be a limit, therefore, on the total available for local authority spending. It is for local authorities themselves to determine their actual levels of capital spending on particular service blocks, including personal social services, within their overall expenditure limit based on allocations, capital receipts and other sources of spending power.