§ 73. Mr. Hardyasked the Secretary of State for Environment what proposals he has to end central control over loan sanctions for individual projects undertaken by local authorities; and what steps he will take to ensure that annual block allocations are increased to provide for greater costs so as to safeguard the level of rates.
§ Mr. Graham PageNew arrangements providing for annual block loan sanctions, will give greater freedom to local authorities in planning their capital expenditure. Those arrangements were announced in circulars to local authorities issued on 12th November by my right hon. Friends 125W the Secretaries of State for the Environment and for Wales respectively (Circulars 2/70 and 116/70). I am sending the hon. Member a copy. In the case of services for which annual block loan sanctions are to be granted it will be for authorities to contain their expenditure within the total sum allocated to them which takes account of higher costs arising in 1971–72.