§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what were the mid-year estimates of population in the City of Newcastle upon Tyne in(a) 1988 and (b) 1996; what assessment he has made of the factors which have contributed to the change; and what population figure in Newcastle upon Tyne he proposes to use for the 1998–99 rate support grant settlement. [16642]
§ Mr. RaynsfordThe Registrar-General's mid-year estimates of population in the City of Newcastle upon Tyne for 1988 was 276,653. The corresponding figure for 1996 was 282,338. The need for an assessment of the factors which have contributed to the change has not arisen. Our proposals for Revenue Support Grant for 1998–99 will be announced in due course.