§ Mr. Elystan Morganasked the Secretary of State for Wales what percentage increase or decrease there would be in the rates of Welsh local authorities in order to maintain the present level of services on the basis of the Government's 204W current proposals for the new structure of rate support grant; and if he will give the estimate for each of the new Welsh county councils.
§ Mr. Graham PageI have been asked to reply.
Provisional estimates suggest that the increase in rate burdens in Wales should be comparable with those in England and Wales as a whole, though in Dyfed it may be somewhat higher and in the Glamorgans it should be somewhat lower. The exact figures will vary from district to district and will be affected by the transfer of responsibility for water services, as well as by the decisions of local authorities themselves. Domestic ratepayers will in any case be substantially protected by the new domestic relief provisions; increases in their rates should be limited to about 9 per cent., subject to exceptional circumstances.