§ Mr. Maurice Macmillanasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list in the Official Report (a) the number of rateable residences, (b) the proportion of total personal income absorbed by local authority rates and (c) the proportion of gross national product spent by local government authorities, for each of the following years 1958, 1963, 1968, 1972, 1973, 1977 and 1978.
§ Mr. ArmstrongMy right hon. Friend's approval is not required for what are commonly known as equity-sharing schemes, although his determination is needed to enable subsidy to be paid on the "rented half" and his consent is necessary for the disposal of the dwellings. Existing general consents mean that applications for specific consent are rarely required. None has been received in 397W respect of disposals under equity-sharing schemes for existing council houses. It is our general policy to encourage schemes for equity-sharing.