§ 32. Mr. Hooleyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the total sum collected by local authorities in rates in 1979–80, 1980–81, and the estimated figures for 1981–82; and what percentage of the total of all taxation collected by central and local government in those years these figures represent.
§ Mr. KingLocal authority rates in the United Kingdom amounted to £6.8 billion in 1979–80, £8.8 billion in 1980–81 and are estimated to yield £11.1 billion in 1981–82. These figures represent 11.9 per cent. of all central and local taxation in 1979–80; 12.8 per cent. in 1980–81 and an estimated 13.6 per cent. in 1981–82.
§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the total yield of rates in England and Wales; what is the percentage of the total local government expenditure covered by central Government grants; and what would be the proportions if the following services were exempted: (a) education, (b) the fire service and (c) the police.
§ Mr. KingIn 1979–80, the latest year for which all required information is available, the total yield of rates in England and Wales was £6,123 million. Central Government grants and subsidies were 47 per cent. of total local government capital and revenue expenditure. About two-thirds of central Government grants were in the form of rate support grants, and as these are not hypothecated to individual services it is not possible to estimate the proportions of grants to expenditure on the basis of particular services being exempted.
§ Mr. Christopher Priceasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish his estimate of the percentage increase compared with the previous year in the yield of local authority rates in the financial years 1979–80, 1980–81 and 1981–82.
§ Mr. KingFollowing is the information for England and Wales:
Per cent. 1979–80 18½ 1980–81 *29 1981–82 †25 * Provisional. † Estimated from rateable value and poundage data.