§ Mr. Campbell-Savoursasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what will be the effect of the rate support grant cuts on the Lancaster city council direct works department and ratepayers; what studies by the local authority have been made of the comparative costs of direct works and outside contractors; and if he will arrange for the findings of any studies to be available in the Library.
§ Mr. KingThe rate support grant is a block grant in aid of local authority revenues generally. It will be for the local authority to decide how to modify its expenditure plans in the light of its own priorities. Studies of comparative costs are likewise a matter for the local authority.