§ Mr. George Cunninghamasked the Secretary of State for the Environment on what points relating to the London rate equalisation scheme for 1976–77 his Department made suggestions or proposals, by whatever means, to the London Boroughs Association before the Association conveyed its views to him.
§ Mr. John SilkinMany points and options were discussed, by the Department and the London Boroughs' Association. These discussions extended over the period May 1975 to January 1976 commencing with a ministerial meeting and continuing with a series of official level meetings and many exchanges of letters.
§ Mr. George Cunninghamasked the Secretary of State for the Environment in what form the London Boroughs Association 382W your Parliamentary Question in which you asked what was the average tax relief (including option mortgage subsidy) in England and Wales and in Great Britain per mortgagor: and per owner-occupier for 1973–74 and 1974–75 and what is the estimated subsidy in both cases for 1975–76.
The relevant figures are:—
conveyed to him views as to the London rate equalisation scheme for 1976–77, whether by letter, memorandum or other means; and what reasons were stated in the recommendation for (1) the making of any scheme, (2) the making of a scheme whereby all Inner London authorities paid and all Outer London authorities received, (3) the doubling of the Inner London surcharge and (4) the reduction in the special allocation to four Outer London authorities.
§ Mr. John SilkinThe proposals by the London Boroughs Association were conveyed by letter. The letter set out detailed proposals for the scale of the equalisation pool and the basis of its distribution between the outer boroughs. The recommendations in the letter were concerned with changes compared to the 1975–76 scheme. I provided my hon. Friend last week with a copy of the Association's letter.