§ Mr. Gwynfor Evansasked the Secretary of State for Wales what was the total of the grant paid in 1966–67 to Welsh local authorities under the Rating (Interim Relief) Act, 1964 on the number of persons in excess of 10 per cent. of the rating authority's population over the age of 65 years.
§ Mr. Cledwyn Hughes£384,173.
§ Mr. Gwynfor Evansasked the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he is taking to avoid the added burden to local rates as a result of the decision to discontinue after 1967–68 the grant paid to local authorities under the Rating (Interim Relief) Act 1964 on the number of persons over the age of 65 years in excess of 10 per cent. of the rating authority's population.
§ Mr. Cledwyn HughesThe Act in question was intended as an interim measure pending a general review of the arrangements for Exchequer assistance to local authorities. The discontinuance of grants under it is one of the factors taken into acccount in the new arrangements under the Local Government Act, 1966 which in total have much increased Exchequer assistance to ratepayers.