§ Mr. Warrenasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if the Greater London Council has been given authority by his Department to pay subsidies, or grants, to the councils of expanding towns with which the GLC has agreements in order to offset any provisions of the Housing Finance Act 1972 which would otherwise cause a financial burden to fall on the ratepayers of an expanding town.
§ Mr. ChannonThe Greater London Council has been authorised under the Town Development Act 1952 to enter into agreements with the councils of certain expanding towns, including Hastings, to make payments which are related to the expansion scheme. The authority would permit payments of the kind referred to by my hon. Friend, but it is for the parties to the agreements to decide on the form and amount of payments.
§ Mr. Warrenasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if his Department has held discussions with the Greater London Council on the effects of the Housing Finance Act 1972 on the 234W council's expanding towns programme: and if he will give the results of any such discussions held.
§ Mr. ChannonThe Department has discussed with the Greater London Council the interpretation and effect of certain provisions in the Housing Finance Act 1972. Decisions on whether to give additional assistance to expanding towns beyond the contributions laid down in the 1972 Act are for the council and the towns concerned.