§ Lord Balnielasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will give an assurance that the memorandum on the financial problems of rapidly expanding counties, submitted by Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire, Hertfordshire, Sussex, West, and Warwickshire, will be considered in the comprehensive review now being undertaken into local government finances.
§ Mr. CrossmanYes.
§ Mr. Crowderasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what action he will take to relieve ratepayers of part of their rates burden; and what reforms he proposes in the rating system.
§ Mr. CrossmanI must ask the hon. Member to await the outcome of the Government's examination of the whole 117W question of local government finance, including the rating system, referred to by my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary on 10th November.