§ Mr. Wrigglesworthasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has received a copy of the district auditor's report on the Cleveland County rate precept for 1974–75 which shows that the Government grant in that year was inadequate when measured against the extra needs and problems of the area; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John SilkinI have now seen a copy of the district auditor's report. The needs element grant for Cleveland County Council in 1974–75 was paid in accordance with the distribution formula approved by the House in the Rate Support Grant Order 1974 (SI No. 550). Since 1974–75 the distribution formula has been
328Wdown by local office areas; and figures for licences issued locally, which would necessarily be only partial, have not therefore been quoted for the period following the start of centralisation.
improved to provide a more effective representation of the differences in the spending needs as between authorities.