§ Mr. David Clarkasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what percentage of expenditure in the National Parks is rate-borne.
§ Mr. Michael HeseltineGovernment grants paid in support of the expenditure of local authorities in England and Wales, including those responsible for National Parks, amount in 1971–72 to 57½ per cent. of the forecast of total relevant expenditure. Since some of this is paid as specific grants at 75 per cent. or 100 per cent. on certain expenditure in National Parks and most of the county councils with responsibility for Parks receive substantial payments of resources element of rate support grant the percentage of expenditure in National Parks which is rate-borne is likely to be significantly below 40 per cent. but a precise figure cannot be calculated.