§ 55. Mr. Douglas-Mannasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received from associations of local authorities concerning his rate support grant proposals.
§ Mr. KingI have received a number of representations about our block grant proposals from the local authority associations and the matter has of course also been discussed at meetings of the Consultative Council of Local Government Finance.
My right hon. Friend and I recognise that the associations still have some anxieties about the theoretical ways in which block grant might be operated, and we are certainly prepared to consider further constructive amendments which could incorporate any additional safeguards which are consistent with the basic principles of block grant, and which could be incorporated in the primary legislation.