§ Mr. Cordleasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, in view of the need to control public expenditure, he is satisfied that present arrangements for calculating the level of the rate support grant adequately encourages thrift.
§ Mr. John SilkinThe local authorities are well aware of the need for thrift; the present rate support grant arrangements in no way prevent them from practising this.
§ Mr. Cordleasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the estimated administration cost of the recalculation of the rate support grant pursuant to the first and second circulars issued by his Department during the summer.
§ Mr. John SilkinI assume the hon. Member is referring to the cost of administering the rate relief scheme announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 22nd July which was explained to local autho-236W rities in Circulars 111 and 120/74. These administration costs are borne by the local authorities, and I have no figures available on which to base a reliable estimate of them.