§ 14. Mr. BatisteTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the level of local authority spending per head in Scotland relative to the level in English local authorities. [3472]
§ Mr. KynochPlanned local authority spending per head of population in the current year is 32 per cent. higher in Scotland than in England.
§ 23. Mr. McKelveyTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will meet the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities to discuss local government finance. [3481]
§ 38. Mr. Norman HoggTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities to discuss the forthcoming revenue support grant settlement. [3496]
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§ Mr. KynochMy right hon. Friend and I met the convention on 8 November and a further meeting is planned for 17 January.
§ 40. Mr. McAvoyTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what factors he takes into account when calculating housing capital allocations to local authorities; and if he will make a statement. [3498]
§ Mr. Raymond S. RobertsonThe distribution of available resources for council housing investment reflect an assessment of the relative housing need in each local authority area based on information which authorities provide on such factors as stock condition and homelessness. The allocations take account of the extent to which councils propose to address the national priority issues of condensation and dampness, below tolerable standard housing, homelessness and community care in their planned capital programmes, as well as the efficiency and effectiveness with which they utilise resources and work with Scottish Homes and other housing providers in meeting local needs. Account is also taken of the capacity of each authority to generate capital receipts, part of which can be used to support housing investment.