§ Mr. Matherasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give the percentage increases in rate support grant to Surrey County Council, shire counties generally, metropolitan districts and London boroughs, respectively, for the years 1971–72, 1972–73, 1973–74, 1974–75, 1975–76.
§ Mr. OakesFor years prior to 1974–75 the needs element of the rate support grant was paid to county councils and county borough councils. On reorganisation, some former county boroughs became metropolitan districts, while others were absorbed into shire counties. Moreover, the boundaries of many local authority areas were amended from 1st April 1975.
875WFor these reasons, no direct comparison between 1973–74 and later years is possible. The following table shows the
Surrey County Council Per cent. Shire Counties Per cent. Metropolitan Districts Per cent. London Boroughs Per cent. County Boroughs Per cent. 1971–72 … … +15.1 +16.1 — +13.6 +14.6 1972–73 … … +14.1 +16.2 — +15.1 +15.3 1973–74 … … +23.5 +24.0 — +21.9 +23.5 1974–75 … … -23.1 -17.3 — -2.7 — 1975–76 … … +27.1 +41.6 +48.5 +48.9 — The reductions in 1974–75 are related to the changes in the proportions of the rate support grant allocated to the needs and resources elements.