§ Mr. MacGregorasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, as part of the rate support grant negotiations in the current year he is trying to negotiate an agreement to give some proportion of the needs element to district councils; if such an arrangement would have substantially different effects as between district councils; and, if such is his intention, whether he will ensure that there is a full parliamentary and public debate about the consequences before final decisions are taken.
§ Mr. Guy BarnettThe proposal to pay needs element to non-metropolitan districts in 1979–80 is being considered, but final decisions have yet to be taken. Any decisions to go ahead with the proposal will be taken in the context of the 1979–80 RSG distribution arrangements as a whole, which should be debated by Parliament before Christmas. The proposal itself would be effected by means of regulations to the 1978 Rate Support Grant Order, which are subject to negative resolution.