§ Mr. John Grantasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the organisations and individuals that have made representations to his Department and to the Department of Health and Social Security, as referred to in his reply to the hon. Member for
324WIn order to reinforce the targets, I am proposing a scheme of grant abatement for authorities whose expenditure is above targets and above GRE.
Although we are providing for £½ million more grant than in last year's settlement, I do not disguise the fact that these proposals will require significant economies from local government. Central Government attach the utmost priority to achieving the targets of local government current expenditure. The Government recognise that it is for local government to make its own choices, subject to statutory obligations, as between services in taking the necessary steps to achieve the targets.
In further technical memoranda I have today sent all authorities details of our proposed changes to the methodology for assessing GREs in 1982–83, and to the grant-related poundage schedule, the London adjustments and the safety nets. The GRE estimates are still subject to minor revision and adjustments to take account of the capital expenditure allocations for 1982–83 before I make formal determinations in the report.
I am placing in the Library of the House copies of the material I have sent to local authorities. I shall lay the report before the House in January.
In proposing this settlement the Government have taken account of local authorities' representations and we believe that in current economic circumstances our proposals are both realistic and fair. Provided that local government seeks to match our target expenditure levels, rate increases generally will be low next year. That will benefit the whole community—householders, industry and commerce.
The following table shows the historic grant shares and shares under 1982–83 block grant.
Islington, Central on 14 December, Official Report, column 37, both for and against future funding of the Brook advisory centre in Islington.
§ Mr. KingThe only representation received in the Department of the Environment is one from the Camden and Islington area health authority. Representations made to DHSS would be a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services.