§ Mr. John Harveyasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what estimate has been formed of the cost to local authorities of recent increases in 273W vehicle taxation and postal charges; and if he will take steps to give relief to ratepayers in respect of these additional charges.
§ Mr. MacCollClause 6 of the Finance (No. 2) Bill widens the classes of local authority vehicles exempt from vehicle licensing, and this has to be weighed against the general increases in rates applying to some of their other vehicles. There is insufficient information available to estimate the net effect of these changes, or the cost to local authorities of the increases in postal charges. Increases in the costs of local authorities are reflected in consequential increases in grants and my right hon. Friend does not propose to take special steps on account of these items.