§ Mr. Kinseyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment when the proposed Green Paper on Local Government Finance will be published; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Luceasked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to publish the Green Paper on local government finance.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerA Green Paper on The Future Shape of Local Government Finance (Cmnd. 4741) presented to Parliament by my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland and 105W Wales, my hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the Treasury and myself is published today, 28th July. Copies are now available in the Vote Office.
The Green Paper is published as a basis for consultations, and the Government hope that it will stimulate wide public discussion of the possibilities set out in it. The Departments concerned will shortly be getting into touch with the local authority associtions and others concerned about the procedure for consultation with them.
The Government will formulate definitive proposals after their consultations are complete, and any necessary legislation will be introduced at the earliest opportunity afterwards.