§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Environment, in the light of the proposed increase in rates 882W announced by local authorities ranging from 27 per cent. to 40 per cent. which are in excess of the guidelines and of the current single figure inflation, what action he has taken or proposes to take to control these inflationary increases.
§ Mr. Guy Barnett:My right hon. Friend has made it plain that it would be most unwelcome if average domestic rate increases were significantly greater than the rate of inflation. Nevertheless we have always recognised that individual authorities will be well above and well below the average. This has been the experience in every year since 1974. It is of course for individual local authorities to decide the extent of their rate increases in the light of their own circumstances and priorities.