§ Mr. Cordleasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what estimate he has made of the effect on Christchurch ratepayers of the proposal to transfer it to Dorset;
(2) what estimate he has made of the effect on Bournemouth ratepayers of retaining separate status rather than being merged with Dorset or Hampshire.
§ Mr. Graham PageReorganisation of local government will enable authorities to provide services more effectively and economically; it will also provide an opportunity for improvements and developments in services to meet modern needs. There will also be a reorganisation of the Exchequer grant system. It is34W therefore not possible to make a detailed assessment of the likely effect on rates in particular areas. But the aim of the new grant system will be to ensure that for comparable levels of service, authorities will need to raise comparable amounts of rate on comparable properties.