HC Deb 08 January 2001 vol 360 cc377-8W
Mr. Curry

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations his Department has received on his Guidance Notes on Capitalisation of Local Authority Pension Fund Contributions; and if he will treat North Yorkshire county council's case for the capitalisation of £30 million of contributions as an exception within his discretion. [144431]

Ms Armstrong

In the formal consultation on this document, 67 responses were received. All respondents welcomed the proposal to allow local authorities to pay capital receipts into their pension funds. We have, however, always made clear that the scheme is meant to help authorities whose pension fund liabilities are significantly higher than average. On the information currently available, it appears that North Yorkshire county council does not pass this test and there seem to be no grounds for exceptional treatment.

Mr. Curry

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he will take to ease the burden on North Yorkshire county council of the extra costs as a result of the apportionment of debt to the Public Works Loan Board between the county council and York city council and the early repayment by York [144430]

Ms Armstrong

The arrangements under which North Yorkshire county council have been managing debt on behalf of the City of York council are set out in legislation. My Department has no power to intervene.