§ Mr. Gordon Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what provision for capital expenditure on education in 1976–77 is made by way of grant and borrowing consent by him in respect of each region; and if he will express the figures both in percentage terms and in relation to expenditure per head of population.
§ Mr. MillanOf the total of £606 million for expenditure on education and libraries, science and arts in Scotland in 1976–77 shown in table 3.1 of Cmnd. 6393, the figure for capital expenditure is £79 million. At this stage of the year it is not possible to say how much of this will be spent in each region.
§ Mr. Welshasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what the average increase in council house rents caused by the cuts 31W in housing subsidies announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in Command Paper No. 6393 for 1976–77, 1977–78 and 1978–79 will be, assuming no corresponding increase in rate fund contribution; and whether or not these increases are additional to any already planned rent increases.
§ Mr. MillanReductions in Exchequer subsidies are not envisaged. In 1976–77 an additional special subsidy is to be paid to local authorities, to enable them to limit rent increases, on average, to 70p over the two years 1975–77 taken together, despite rising housing costs. Authorities have freedom to decide how housing expenditure after Exchequer subsidies should be met, as between rent payers and ratepayers. Assuming no increase in rate fund contributions in real terms, it is presumed that in 1977–78 and 1978–79 authorities will increase rents at least in line with the general rise in prices.