§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if, in view of the fact that the average domestic rate bill is higher in Knowsley Metropolitan Borough than in all the surrounding councils, he will provide extra resources to that area;
(2) if, in view of the fact that the average domestic rate bill is considerably higher in Knowsley metropolitan borough than in the metropolitan district of Liverpool, St. Helens and Sefton, he will consider increasing the rate support grant for Knowsley.
§ Mr. Guy BarnettNo. The amounts of rate support grant paid to Knowsley are calculated in accordance with the statutory provisions approved by Parliament. It is for the local authority to decide, in the light of its expenditure proposals, what rate it needs to levy.