§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if Her Majesty's Government will provide support for local authorities seeking to assist British citizens, or overseas nationals, settled in the United Kingdom, who are in financial hardship, wishing to visit Pakistan for urgent family reasons arising from the recent explosion disaster in that country; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ChopeThe main means of central Government support for local authorities is by way of block grant, which is in aid of their services generally. It is entirely for local authorities to decide what provision to make for particular activities.