§ Mr. BlunkettTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has any plans to give local authorities the right to raise capital finance by means of issuing municipal bonds with a maturity of more than five years; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. PortilloLocal authorities are already able to raise capital finance by issuing bonds with a maturity of more than five years. We are not currently contemplating any change in authorities' powers in this field.