HC Deb 03 August 1976 vol 916 c740W
Mr. Ward

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what were the total sums allocated to local authorities in each of the years 1970–71 to 1975–76 for locally determined schemes, in both actual money terms and at constant prices.

Mr. Guy Barnett

The procedure involving a borrowing allocation for locally determined schemes was first introduced in 1971–72. The allocations for that and subsequent years are shown below.

Year Allocation in cash terms Allocation on a 1975–76 price basis
1971–72 395 818
1972–73 362 615
1973–74 421 602
1974–75 347 409
1975–76 484 484

The scope of the locally determined sector has varied from time to time. After the first year expenditure on slum clearance, derelict land, coast protection, administration of justice and horticultural markets was transferred to the key sector. The 1972–73 allocation was £80 million less than it would otherwise have been and subsequent years were correspondingly reduced.

As a result of local government reorganisation, sewerage and certain local health sources are no longer local authority functions. The allocation for 1974–75 was reduced by another £80 million a year with a corresponding reduction in 1975–76.