§ 32. Mr. Neubertasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions he has had with London rating authorities on the level and distribution of rate support grant in London for 1976–77.
§ Mr. John SilkinThe London Boroughs Association has been represented at meetings of the Consultative Council on local government finance when these matters have been discussed.
§ Mr. David Priceasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) whether he will now state the total sum of rate support grant for the year 1976–77 which has been made available to the Hampshire Council;
(2) whether he will now state the total sum of rate support grant for the year 1976–77 which has been made available to the Eastleigh Borough Council; and 617W how that sum is divided between resources and domestic elements;
(3) whether he will now state the total sum of rate support grant for the year 1976–77 which has been made available to the Test Valley District Council; and how that sum is divided between resources and domestic elements.
§ Mr. John SilkinMy Department will be writing to all local authorities shortly giving details of the formulae and data to be used in the grant calculations for 1976–77, so that they may make their own assessment of the sums they are likely to receive. Only approximate estimates of grant entitlements can be made at present, as some of the relevant data are not yet available. In particular, the amount of the resources element payable to an authority depends largely on the rate poundage the authority decides to levy. The payment of domestic element provides for a reduction of 18½p in the poundage levied by English rating authorities on domestic ratepayers.