§ Mr. Freudasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what will be the loss to the East Cambridgeshire District Council as a result of the change in the rate support grant from a variable to a flat rate distribution of domestic rate relief.
§ Mr. Freudasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what will be the loss to the Fenland District Council as a result of the change in the rate support grant from a variable to a flat rate distribution of domestic rate relief.
§ Mr. Tomlinsonasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take steps to reduce the two-year time lag between the compilation of statistics for the determination of the needs element in the rate support grant and their application, in view of the effects of this delay on authorities with a rising population.
§ Mr. OakesThe most up-to-date available and reliable information is used in determining the distribution of the rate support grant. Consideration is being given to the inclusion of a measure of recent population growth in the calculation of next year's distribution.
§ Mr. Batesasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what was the total rate support grant paid to local authorities now in the Ellesmere Port district, Cheshire, during the year 1973–74;
(2)what is the total rate support grant to be paid to the Ellesmere Port district, Cheshire, during the year 1974–75;
(3)what percentage of the expenditure of the Ellesmere Port district, Cheshire, is met by rate support grant.
357W
§ Mr. OakesThe total rate support grant for 1973–74 paid to those authorities which now form Ellesmere Port District Council was some £370,000. For 1974–75 the total to be paid to Ellesmere Port District Council is estimated at about £680,000. These figures exclude rate support payments to the county council which are a factor in determining the rate poundage. Details of the districts expenditure for this year are not yet available to the Department.
§ Mr. Batesasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what was the total rate support grant paid to local authorities now in the Wirral district, Merseyside, during the year 1973–74;
what is the total rate support grant to be paid to the Wirral district, Mersey-side, during the year 1974–75;
(3)what percentage of the expenditure of the Wirral district, Merseyside, is met by rate support grant.
§ Mr. OakesThe total rate support grant for 1973–74 paid to those authorities which now form Wirral District Council amounted to about £16,070,000. For 1974–75 the total to be paid to Wirral District Council is estimated to be about £25,470,000, but this is subject to adjustment as later information becomes available and as a result of possible increase orders. Details of the 1974–75 expenditure of the district are not yet available to the Department.
§ Mr. Tierneyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give details for domestic rate relief contained in the Rate Support Grant Order 1974 for Birmingham; and what was the previous proposal for Birmingham.
§ Mr. Hannamasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the total of rate support grant planned for the county of Devon for the year 1974–75 prior to the change in the variable rate support system; and what is the total for 1974–75 now.
§ Mr. OakesThe latest estimate for the total amount of rate support grant payable to local authorities in Devon for 1974–75 if the proposals for variable domestic relief had been implemented is358W £58,807,000. The amount now payable is estimated at £56,344,000. The final amount to be paid will depend on possible increase orders.
§ Mr. Hannamasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the total rate support grant for the whole country for 1974–75.
§ Mr. OakesThe total rate support grant for England and Wales for 1974–75 is £3,076 million, at November 1973 prices. This total is subject to change as a result of possible increase orders.
§ Mr. Wyn Robertsasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will review the rate support grant system so that greater financial assistance can be given to sparsely populated authorities like Gwynedd, whose services must take account of the seasonal influx of holiday-makers.
§ Mr. OakesYes. A factor taking account of sparsity will be considered for inclusion in the needs element for the 1975–76 rate support grant.
§ Sir P. Bryanasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what is the present reduction in rate support grant to the Selby District Council from that first planned for 1974–75; and what this figure represents in terms of poundage value;
(2)what is the present reduction in rate support grant to the North Wolds District Council from that first planned for 1974–75; and what this figure represents in terms of poundage value;
(3)what is the present reduction in rate support grant to the North Yorkshire County Council from that first planned for 1974–75; and what this represents in terms of poundage value;
(4)what is the present reduction in rate support grant to the Humberside County Council from that first planned for 1974–75; and what this represents in terms of poundage value;
(5)what is the present reduction in rate support grant to the Ryedale District Council from that first planned for 1974–75; and what this represents in terms of poundage value.
§ Mr. OakesSelby District Council about £216,000 and 6.5p; North Wolds 359W District Council about £242,000 and 7p; Ryedale District Council about £203,000 and 5.5p. There has been no change in rate support grant paid to county councils.
§ Mr. Eldon Griffithsasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the totals of the domestic element in rate support grant being paid to the district councils of St. Edmundsbury and Forest Heath, respectively, for the year 1974–75; and what these totals would have been under the superseded arrangements.
§ Mr. OakesSt. Edmundsbury, about £610,000 against £914,000; Forest Heath, about £327,000 against £579,000.