§ Mr. Cormackasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many representations he has received from the shire counties on the subject of the rate support grant.
§ Mr. ShoreIn the period proceeding the 1978–79 settlement my Department has received a large number of repre-
Average annual rate payments* per domestic hereditament Average gross weekly earnings of male manual workers‡ £ Index 1960–61=100 £ Index 1960–61=100 1960–61 … … … … … … 27.4 100 14.5 100 1965–66 … … … … … … 36.4 133 19.6 135 1970–71 … … … … … … 52.2 191 28.1 194 1975–76† … … … … … … 91.7 335 (358) 59.6 411 1977–78† … … … … … … 115.6 422 (451) 71.5 493§ NOTES: * England and Wales: Before allowing for rate rebates. † At local government reorganisation in April 1974, a number of local services (water, sewerage and national health services) were transferred away from local authorities. These accounted for nearly 7 per cent. of rate-borne expenditure and the figures in brackets for 1975–76 and 1977–78 show what the increase might have been if the change in coverage of domestic rates had not occurred. ‡ Great Britain in October. § April 1977, the latest available figures.