§ Mr. Hardyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he expects to require futher reductions in local government expenditure during the next two years.
§ Mr. KingThe Government's expenditure plans in Cmnd. 8494—table 4.3—imply cash increases in local authority current and capital expenditure in England of about 3 per cent. and 28 per cent. respectively for 1982–83 compared with the estimated outturn for 1981–82. The Budget Statement subsequently proposed two further changes—an increase in the provision for house improvement and an adjustment to current expenditure to allow for the reduction in the national insurance surcharge. Final decisions have yet to be taken for 1983–84.