§ Mr. Buchanan-Smithasked the Secretary of State for Scotland why £1.3 million is to be deducted from the oil-related element of the rate support grant of Grampian Regional Council; what account he has taken of the fact that this has the effect of increasing the rate poundage by one penny for Grampian Region ratepayers; and, in view of the fact that any adjustment in grant is the responsibility of his Department, if he will now reinstate the £1.3 million.
§ Mr. MillanA provisional forecast of grant payable in 1978–79 to the Council, based on information available at the time, was given in December 1977. The forecast figure was reduced in March partly to take account of later information and partly to correct an inaccuracy in the earlier figure. The revised figure was notified to the council in time to be taken into account when the rate was fixed.