§ Mr. Geraint Howellsasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received expressing concern about the present method of 749W allocation of the needs element of the rate support grant among district councils; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John SilkinThe needs element of rate support grant is not at present payable to non-metropolitan district councils. I take it the hon. Member's interest does not extend to metropolitan areas, where different arrangements apply. The Association of District Councils did ask that a proportion of needs element grant should be paid directly to district councils in non-metropolitan counties. However, in advance of consideration of the Layfield Committee report, such a change does not seem to be justified.