§ Mr. Oldfieldasked the Minister of Health if he will state for 1938 and 1943, respectively, the percentage of expenditure by local authorities in England and Wales which was met by Government grants.
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§ Mr. BevanI regret that I have no figures available for a later period than the year ending 31st March, 1942. The following gives the total expenditure and income of local authorities on Revenue Account (excluding Trading undertakings) for that year and the year ending 31st March, 1939:
Year ended 31st March, 1939. 31st March, 1942. Million £ Million £ Total expenditure 393 536 Income from Rates 192 186 Government Grants 139 277 Rents, etc. 62 73 In 1939 Government grants represented 35 per cent. of the total expenditure, or 42 per cent. of the expenditure falling to be met by rates and grants. In 1942 the corresponding percentages were 52 per cent. and 60 per cent. The figures for the later year include considerable sums by way of reimbursement of expenditure on emergency services.