HC Deb 20 June 1973 vol 858 cc125-6W
Mr. Judd

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what representations he has received from local authority organisations, the Society of County Borough Treasurers, the IMTA and other financial officers' associations about the proposal to change the system of local government finance; what replies he has sent; and whether he will make a statement;

(2) whether he will make a statement on the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards the rate support grant as a source of central Government's financial support for local government;

(3) what steps he is taking to ensure that any new system of local government finance will be finalised in sufficient time to enable local authorities effectively to implement it by April 1974.

Mr. Graham Page

The Government have received representations and comments on the Green Paper about local government finance (Cmnd. 4741) from the local authority associations and the Greater London Council, and consulta tions have already taken place with representatives of those bodies. The Government's proposals are set out in a consultation paper which I have today sent to the representatives of local government.

Mr. Judd

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will issue a circular to county boroughs advising them on the most appropriate areas of research for information which they are gathering to present to the Society of County Borough Treasurers in preparation for forthcoming discussions between the Society and Her Majesty's Government of any new rate support grant formula.

Mr. Graham Page

No. In the discussions on a proposed new rate support grant formula which are taking place between officials of my Department, other Departments concerned and the local authorities associations, all information and research results held by the Departments are made available and any other information which the associations make available is also considered.

Mr. Arthur Jones

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the review of local government finance.

Mr. Graham Page

I am today sending a consultation paper setting out the Government's proposals about local government finance to the representatives of local government in order to complete the consultations begun in 1971 following the publication of the Green Paper (Cmnd. 4741). Copies of the consultation paper have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses of Parliament.