§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make a statement on the effect of his rate support proposals for domestic and industrial ratepayers, respectively, in the new Hull District Council and the Humberside County Council.
§ Mr. Fordasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give additional assistance for urban development 148W to those towns such as Bradford which fail to benefit under his scheme to redistribute the domestic element of rate support grant.
§ Mr. John SilkinNo.
§ Mr. Fordasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he took into account the difference in income levels between northern and southern England when redistributing the domestic element of rate support grant.
§ Mr. John SilkinNo account was taken of regional differences in income levels in considering the domestic element of the rate support grant. However, the increased resources element this year redistributes grant into those areas with lower rateable values.
§ Mr. Fordasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is aware that his proposals to benefit householders in needy inner urban areas have not worked out in practice, and that Bradford, Keighley and Shipley will now have to pay an additional 1½p in the pound; and if he will take action to remove the discrepancy.
§ Mr. John SilkinThe changes made in the domestic element will have the general effect of reinforcing the support being given through the rate support grant to the needy urban areas. I recognise that some areas will not benefit from the changes but I do not propose any special measures beyond those already announced for 1974–75. For 1975–76 I will be reviewing the basis of the rate support grant to be made for local authorities.
§ Mr Fordasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he took into account local government reorganisation when redistributing the domestic element of rate support grant.
§ Mr. John SilkinYes.
§ Mr. Cryerasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give further assistance to remove anomalies in needy urban areas arising from his revision of the rate support grant.
§ Mr. John SilkinNo.
§ Mr. Tylerasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will take 149W steps to ameliorate the impact of his cut in the rate support grant for the Caradon District Council on council house tenants in its area who will otherwise face increases in rate obligations of about 80p per week;
(2) if he will take steps to ameliorate the impact of his cut in the rate support grant for the Caradon District Council on those eligible for rate rebates who will otherwise face increases in rate obligations in the region of 150 per cent.
§ Mr. Tylerasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimate he has made of the increases of rate burden for domestic rate payers in the Caradon dis-
District Water rate Sewerage charge Combined total of water rate and sewerage charge P P P Caradon … … 11.5 16.2 27.7 Carrick … … 8.4(8.3; 8.4) 7.0 15.4 Kerrier … … 8.3(7.8; 8.4) 9.2 17.5 North Cornwall … … 9.4(8.3; 11.2; 11.5) 8.4 17.9 Penwith … … 7.5(7.5; 8.4) 5.0 12.5 Restormel … … 8.3 9.9 18.2 In this table, where two or more water rate poundages apply within a district, the figure shown is the estimated average for the district and the actual poundages are shown alongside. The poundage of the sewerage charge will be fixed by the local authority by reference to the total amount of revenue required in the district; the figures shown under this heading are as estimated by the Department of the Environment and are approximate.
No calculation of the average of such charges throughout Wales has been made by Government Departments. The range of poundages in Wales—on the same basis as the figures for Cornwall—is indicated by these figures:
150W
Type of charge Poundage District or districts P Water rates: Highest 20.0 1. Ceredigion 2. Radnor Lowest 4.1 Montgomery Sewerage charge: Highest 17.7 Delyn Lowest 3.0 Cardiff Combined total of water rates and sewerage charges: Highest 32.5 Ceredigion Lowest 11.2 Cardiff trict of Cornwall, as a result of his cut in the rate support grant for the district.
§ Mr. OakesThe rate is a matter for the local authority. I am seeing a deputation from this district on Monday next.