§ 32. Mr. MacGregorasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on progress to date with the consultative council concerned with local government expenditure.
§ Mr. CroslandThe council has had an initial meeting at which we had a useful discussion on how both central and local government could work together in the present difficult economic climates. We shall be meeting again in July.
§ 38. Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what indications he has received about the achievement of his targets for local government spending in 1976–77; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. CroslandI refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Wolverhampton, South-West (Mr. Budgen).
§ Mr. Rookerasked the Secretary of State for the Environment by what means his Department makes known its views to local and regional authorities on the need to avoid ostentatious spending gestures.
§ Mr. John SilkinMy colleagues and I regularly meet representatives of local authorities and the regional water authorities and make known our views. I also issue circulars on general expenditure matters.