§ Mr. Brandon-BravoTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will review the rules governing local authority finance in those areas which militate against local authorities being able to fully take up grants under European Community programmes, in particular the RECHAR scheme.
§ Mr. YeoIn setting annually the level of public expenditure programmes for local authorities, account is taken of anticipated European Community receipts so that these programmes are larger than they would otherwise be. However, in addition for 1990–91 the other services block was "top sliced" by £25 million for distribution as supplementary credit approvals to local authorities in receipt of European regional development fund. In the light of representations received from local authorities it is proposed to increase the top slice to £45 million for this purpose in 1991–92.