§ Mr. Hoosonasked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the future of the rate support grant in Wales.
§ Mr. Nicholas EdwardsI would refer my hon. Friend to the statement made today by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment about our proposals for changing the rate support grant system. I shall be responsible for the operation of the revised system in Wales. This is a major addition to the function of the Welsh Office, which does not at present have responsibility for the rate support grant. It will represent an improvement in the machinery of Government in Wales. I will be consulting the Welsh Counties Committee and the Council for the Principality on the implementation of the details of these proposals in due course.