HC Deb 23 March 1978 vol 946 cc796-7W
Mr. George

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the expenditure in 1976–77 and 1977–78 per thousand population and the percentage of total spending on housing in (a) Walsall, (b) Birmingham, (c) the average for West Midlands county, (d) the average for all metropolitan districts, (e) the average for London boroughs and (f) the average for England and Wales.

Mr. Armstrong

Following are the figures for 1976–77:

Total capital spending by local authorities per 1,000 population £ Percentage of total spending on housing
Walsall 74,900 74.0
Birmingham 90,000 79.6
West Midlands county (districts only) 71,600 72.9
All metropolitan districts 66,300 71.1
London boroughs (including ILEA) 103,300 66.4
All authorities in England and Wales 83,400 53.6

Note: Figures for different types of authorities may not be comparable because of differing responsibilities. Figures are not yet available for 1977–78.

Mr. George

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many improvement grants were awarded per thousand dwellings in Walsall metropolitan district; what is the average for England and Wales, and the average for those authorities designated as housing stress areas; and what was the average grant awarded.

Mr. Armstrong

The available information is as follows:

DWELLING RENOVATIONS APPROVED—1977
Number per thousand dwellings
England and Wales 6.9
Local authorities designated as stress areas 9.9
Walsall 2.1
Local authorities in England and Wales Department of the Environment (5)
Employees (1) Expenditure on wages and salaries (3) Employees (4) Expenditure on wages and salaries (6)
Thousand (2) £ million Thousand £ million
1974–75 1,931 5,709 17.09 53.1
1975–76 2,072 7,329 17.74 67.9
1976–77 2,092 8,402 17.93 77.2
1977–78 2,069 .. 17.36 85.1

1) Full time equivalents. Figures relate to June.

(2) Excluding police civilians, traffic wardens, police cadets, agency, magistrates' courts and probation staff, which together accounted for about 2½ per cent. of total employees in 1975.

(3) Including employers' contributions to super-annuation funds and national insurance, and non-funded pension payments.

(4) Number, excluding seasonal and casual staff. Figures relate to June.

(5) Excluding Property Services Agency and Driver and Vehicle Licensing Centre. Department of Transport staff are included for 1977.

(6) Inclding employers' national insurance but not superannuation contributions.

Changes in employment will reflect changes in the provisions of Departmental and local government services and recent measures to curtail the growth of public expenditure.

Needs Element (Outturn prices) £ million

Needs Element (1975–76 fixed prices) £ million

1975–76 59.60 (2nd increase order) 59.60
1976–77 62.43 (2nd increase order) 55.23
1977–78 62.35 (1st increase order) 52.14
1978–79 60.83 (main order November 1977) 49.66