HC Deb 02 February 1978 vol 943 cc319-20W
Mr. Carter-Jones

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) whether he will reconsider the proposals for the amount of borrowing powers under the locally determined scheme allocation for the year commencing 1st April 1978 to be reduced by 50 per cent., in the light of the fact that if this proposal is implemented in authorities such as the city of Salford the whole of this reduced allocation would be taken up by existing legal contractual commitments;

(2) if he will give an assurance that the amount of locally determined scheme borrowing powers to be made available to local authorities for the next financial year will be at least as great in real terms as the borrowing powers made available for the financial year commencing 1st April 1977, thereby enabling authorities, particularly those faced with major urban renewal problems, to provide vital social amenities.

Mr. Roper

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what changes it is intended to make in the amount of borrowing power for local authorities under the locally determined schemes' allocation for the year commencing 1st April 1978;

(2) whether if reductions have to be made in the aggregate sum available for local authorities borrowing for locally determined schemes in 1978–79, preference can be given to allow those authorities faced with major urban renewal problems to continue their plans for the provision of vital social amenities.

Mr. Frank Allaun

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will reconsider the proposals made by his Department in discussions with the Association of Metropolitan Authorities for a reduction in the amount of borrowing powers under the locally determined scheme allocation for the year commencing 1st April 1977 of up to 50 per cent. throughout the country, particularly to avoid the harmful effect on such authorities as Salford where almost the whole of the proposed reduction is already account ed for by existing legal contractual commitments;

(2) if he will give an assurance that the amount of locally determined scheme borrowing powers to be made available to local authorities for the next financial year will he at least as great in real terms as those made available for the financial year commencing 1st April 1977, in order to enable authorities, particularly those faced with major urban renewal problems, to provide vital social amenities.

Mr. Shore

I am still considering both the level of borrowing approval for the locally determined sector for 1978–79 and the method of allocation.