HC Deb 08 February 1974 vol 868 cc445-7W
Mr. Elystan Morgan

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the loss in rate support grant which each of the new Welsh counties will suffer under the new rate support grant proposals for 1974–75.

Mr. Graham Page

Because of changes in boundaries and functions and also because the amounts payable as resources and domestic elements have not yet been calculated, it is not possible to make a direct comparison of the grants payable to individual authorities for 1974–75 with those for earlier years.

Mr. Faulds

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what will be the amount of rate support grant for the metropolitan county borough of Sandwell.

Mr. Graham Page

The needs element of the rate support grant payable to the metropolitan district of Sandwell for the year 1974–75 will be £12.2 million, at November 1973 prices. The resources element will depend on the rates levied by the district council; the domestic element has not yet been calculated.

Mr. Winterton

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what was the latest rate support grant payment to the borough of Congleton under the old formula; what is the estimated payment under the new formula; and what are the equivalent figures for the area covered by the new Congleton District Council;

(2) what was the latest rate support grant payment to the borough of Macclesfield under the old formula; what is the estimated payment under the new formula; and what are the equivalent figures for the area covered by the new Macclesfield District Council;

(3) what was the latest rate support grant payment to the borough of Congle ton under the old 31st December 1973 formula in the boroughs of Macclesfield and Congleton, in Bollington and Alderley Bridge urban districts and in the Disley and Macclesfield rural districts.

Mr. Graham Page

Under both the existing and proposed rate support grant system, most of the grant is paid as needs element to the county councils. It is not possible to say how much of it is attributable to individual districts within a county.

Mr. Winterton

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the latest rate support grant payment to the Cheshire County Council under the old formula; what is the estimated payment under the new formula; and what are the equivalent figures for the area covered by the new Cheshire County Council.

Mr. Graham Page

The needs element of grant payable to Cheshire County Council for 1973–74 under the Rate Support Grant Increase (No. 2) Order 1973 is £61 million and the resources element is estimated to be £2.5 million. Under the new formula, the new Cheshire County Council will receive a needs element of £31.8 million at November 1973 prices. Resources element will be payable to districts in respect of both county and district expenditure and will depend on the rate calls of the districts. Because of the changes in functions and boundaries it is not possible to say how much grant might have been payable to new authorities under the old system or to old authorities under the new system.