HC Deb 22 March 1978 vol 946 cc568-9W
Mr. Michael McGuire

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Ince on 15th March, if he will state which of the councils listed in that answer are known to have had to increase their rates by 15 per cent. or more.

Mr. Guy Barrett

On the basis of the returns examined in connection with the answer to my hon. Friend on 15th March, the following nine local authorities are expected to levy general rates for the year 1978–79 which are 15 per cent. or more higher than the rates which they levied in 1977–78:

Metropolitan Districts

  • Wigan
  • Newcastle-upon-Tyne

District Councils

  • Huntingdon
  • South Cambridgeshire
  • Blackpool
  • Craven
  • Hambleton
  • Harrogate
  • York

Since 15th March a further 43 provisional returns have been received, and the following three local authorities are also expected to levy general rates for the year 1978–79 which are 15 per cent. or more higher than the rates which they levied in 1977–78:

District Councils

  • East Cambridgeshire
  • Fenland
  • Llanelli