§ Mr. Stoddartasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will defray the whole or part of the costs of £50,000, excluding police costs, of the Wiltshire county council in respect of the extraordinary audit ordered by him under section 165(1) of the Local Government Act 1972 into the operations of the consortium for purchasing and distribution between 1 April 1974 and 31 March 1979.
§ Mr. King[pursuant to his reply, 6 May 1981, c. 100]: No. I understand that the costs involved in the extraordinary audit will not fall on Wiltshire county council alone, but also on the other members of the consortium. The consortium consists of six county councils in the West of England and two in Wales. My 265W right hon. Friend has no power directly to meet the costs of the councils concerned, but the expenditure incurred will be eligible for rate support grant purposes.