§ 28. Mr. Arthur Jonesasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what agreement was reached over local government expenditure cuts at the last meeting of the Consultative Council on Local Government Finance.
§ Mr. ShoreIt was agreed that discussions on ways of reducing the excess of planned expenditure in 1976–77 would continue between the Government and the local authority associations. I announced the Government's decision on this matter earlier today in reply to Questions from the hon. Members for Norfolk, South (Mr. MacGregor) and the City of Chester (Mr. Morrison).
§ 42. Mr. Michael Marshallasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the total shortfall of local authority spending cuts following the guidelines for local government expenditure issued by his Department.
§ Mr. ShoreThe new returns show an excess of total current expenditure of £250 million at November 1975 prices.