HC Deb 04 November 2002 vol 392 cc47-8W
14. Mr. Kidney

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will place in the Library a summary of the responses to his consultation on reform of local government finance. [77027]

Mr. Raynsford

A summary of responses to the consultation on the formula grant review will be published and placed in the Library before the Government's proposals for the future grant distribution system are announced at around the beginning of December.

Mr. Jenkins

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what discussions his Department has had with the F40 group in the review of the local government education funding formula to provide a more even funding system for rural and inner city schools. [78878]

Mr. Raynsford

My colleagues and I had discussions with both the F40 as a group and some of their 36 constituent authorities as part of the consultation on the Formula Grant Review.

Similar discussions have taken place between the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's officials and officers representing F40 members. We are currently taking decisions on the new system to be that we will propose following that consultation. In doing so we are considering carefully the evidence, pressures and representations that we received, including those from F40 authorities and campaigners.

Mr. Cran

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what impact changes in the local government formula grant will have on public services delivered by the East Riding of Yorkshire council. [79166]

Mr. Raynsford

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Brigg and Goole (Mr. Cawsey) on 4 November 2002.

Mr. Cran

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment he has made of rural deprivation in the local government formula grant review. [79167]

Mr. Raynsford

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to my hon. Friend, the Member for Brigg and Goole (Mr. Cawsey) on 4 November 2002.

Mr. Cran

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what account he has taken of the extra cost of providing services in rural areas in the local government formula grant review. [79168]

Mr. Raynsford

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Brigg and Goole (Mr. Cawsey) on 4 November 2002.