§ Mr. Andersonasked the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what estimate he has made of the increased costs to those local authorities in Wales which will contribute at the invitation of his Department to the formulation of a regional plan for east South Wales;
(2) what estimate he has made of the increased cost on the rates in Monmouthshire resulting from the designation of the Monmouth County Council as a related authority under the Planning Act.
§ Mr. George ThomasIf my hon. Friend means the invitation I have given to Monmouthshire County Council and four other planning authorities in South 291W Wales to prepare a structure plan under Part I of the Town and Country Planning Act, the answer is that I have made no such estimate.
§ Mr. Andersonasked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will take steps to pay increased grants to those local authorities in Wales which need to increase their staff and accommodation because of new functions arising from decisions made by his Department, particularly in the planning field.
§ Mr. George ThomasThere is no provision for specific grant in aid of general administrative expenses of planning authorities under the Town and Country Planning Act 1968, but any increase of such expenditure will increase the relevant expenditure for the purposes of rate support grant under the Local Government Act 1966.