Mr. Forthasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, in the light of his answer of 6 July, Official Report, c. 280, concerning the special problems of towns with a rapidly growing population, he will give special rate support grant assistance to Redditch.
Mr. Patrick JenkinMy earlier reply related to expenditure targets for authorities with rapidly growing populations. The question of rate support grant for these authorities is a separate issue on which a considerable amount of work has been done by the grants working group. This work has not so far substantiated the claim that the expenditure needs of these authorities is generally understated. But I am always prepared to consider any new evidence that an authority wishes to put forward.
§ Mr. Andrew F. Bennettasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if, in the light of the proposals of Liverpool metropolitan borough council to create 1,000 extra permanent jobs, he has any plans to vary its rate support grant; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Patrick JenkinNo. All local authorities, including Liverpool city councils have been informed of their likely entitlement to rate support grant for 1983–84, taking into account their planned level of expenditure.
Mr. Kaufmanasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what he estimates will be the cost of returning grant to local authorities which suffered grant holdback as a result of the Rate Support Grant Supplementary Report (England) (No. 2) 1982 and which will have some or all of that holdback refunded if Parliament approves the Rate Support Grant Supplementary Report (England) (No. 3) 1981–82;
(2) what was the cost of administering the holdback scheme authorised by the Rate Support Grant Supplementary Report (England) (No. 2) 1982.
Mr. Patrick JenkinIt is not possible to allocate costs to the administration of the 1981–82 rate support grant holdback arrangements. The officials concerned are also engaged on other RSG work.