§ Mr. Ashtonasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many different charges for services, supplies, admission fees, and hiring fees, excluding council house rents, mortgages, and bus fares, are now made to the public by Sheffield City Council; what these charges are; how many of them have been increased or applied for the first time since May, 1968; and by how much.
§ Mr. SkeffingtonI regret that this information is not available. Some charges of general application, such as those for school meals, are prescribed centrally. But with the exception of certain market charges and fees for burials and cremations, for which my right hon. Friend's approval is needed, local authorities are not required to inform him of the many different fees or charges which they determine at their discretion.