§ Mr. FranksTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what decision he has taken on the application from the Inner London education authority for redetermination of the expenditure level for 1989–90 which he set in July; and what maximum he proposes to prescribe for the Inner London education authority's precept in that year.
§ Mr. Kenneth BakerHaving considered the Inner London education authority's application, I have decided to redetermine the expenditure level for 1989–90 at £950 million, £10 million higher than the level I set in July. In coming to this decision, I have taken into account the authority's representations about the particular circumstances of its last year of operation. I have today notified the authority of this decision.
I have also notified it of my proposal to prescribe a maximum precept for 1989–90 of 77.61p which would, on the latest information available, enable the authority to raise £950 million. The proposed precept maximum is 4.19p less than the current year's precept—a reduction of 5.1 per cent. I have given the authority until 13 January to inform me whether it accepts the proposal.