§ Mr. Cyril Smithasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will issue a circular to local authorities advising them which services they should cut in order to contain rate rise demands at reasonable levels.
§ Mr. John SilkinMy right hon. Friend warned local authorities last July that it would probably be necessary for them to plan for no real growth in expenditure in 1975–76 over what has taken place in 1974–75. When the current rate support grant negotiations are concluded and458W the Rate Support Grant Order has been debated I propose to issue a circular advising local authorities on the ways in which the rate of growth in services could be limited.