§ Mr. E. Rowlandsasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what, in 1967, was the total value of Government grants to ease the impact of rates on the domestic ratepayer in Wales; how many people are now receiving these benefits; and how these figures compare with those for 1963–64.
§ Mr. SkeffingtonI assume that my hon. Friend is referring to the domestic element of the rate support grants. The total amount payable to rating authorities in Wales by way of the domestic element in respect of the year 1967–68 is estimated to be £886,000 out of total rate support grants to Welsh local authorities of £96,879,000. The domestic element secures a reduction in the rate poundages
1962–63 1963–64 1964–65 1965–66 1966–67 £ £ £ £ £ Capital Grants: Education … … … — — — — 48,028 Coast Protection … … 6,065 — — — — Highways … … … 34,686 83,244 122,317 150,264 146,067 Civil Defence … … … 4,836 904 — 5 — Water … … … 375 — 719 — 55 Specific Revenue Grants: Education … … … 298,952 302,804 359,529 394,552 491,938 Port Health … … … 2,256 2,443 1,813 2,194 2,424 Care of Aged, etc. … … 14,354 14,436 15,881 15,509 16,030 Protection of Children … … 6,604 7,129 9,490 9,857 11,742 Improvement Grants … … 6,828 7,546 9,489 11,738 13,991 Town and Country Planning … — — 7,385 45,615 54,000 Highways … … … 10,883 17,060 19,990 20,250 17,971 Fire Service … … … 782 1,219 2,134 2,219 2,410 Police … … … 350,876 397,779 443,060 492,445 537,910 Administration of Justice … 52,954 64,849 58,657 69,594 109,121 Civil Defence … … … 22,944 28,681 26,979 30,064 27,675 Water … … … — — 9,166 2,270 2,314 Miscellaneous … … … 25 25 25 1,397 10,070 Housing Subsidied and Other Housing 268,733 272,295 313,946 336,754 364,805 General Grant … … … 3,024,187 3,434,624 3,638,676 4,206,654 4,602,950 Rate-deficiency Grant … … — 17,347 — — 296,065 Rating (Interim Relief) Act (Sections 1 and 5) — — 17,169 20,166 22,565 Rating Act 1966 Rate Rebates … … … — — — — 71,780 TOTALS … … 4,106,340 4,652,385 5,056,425 5,811,547 6,849,911 Source: Epitomes of Accounts and Departmental Records.