Mr. Bob Brownasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if, in view of the fact that Newcastle-upon-Tyne City Council by progressively cutting back on earlier estimates in respect of the smoke control programme has now reached the situation where it is not expected to have clean air in the county borough until 1985, he will encourage the council to expedite its programme and give further financial aid.
§ Mr. Eldon GriffithsThe rate of grant is prescribed by statute and, as I said in answer to the hon. Member for Newcastle-upon-Tyne, East (Mr. Rhodes) on 18th February, the council's policy is for itself to decide. Like other authorities, it has been affected by the shortage of solid smokeless fuel that became apparent at the beginning of 1970.