§ Mr. ColvinTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the reasons for his decision to reduce the level of specific grant assistance to direct housing benefit and community charge benefit from 1991–92 for the district councils in the counties of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
§ Miss WiddecombeThe reduction in the rate of direct benefit subsidy from 97 per cent. to 95 per cent. which will apply to all authorities in Great Britain, is a modest adjustment in the balance between direct and indirect subsidy, designed to promote economy and efficiency in the handling of public funds.