§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many local authorities he estimates will need to raise their rates in the next financial year in order to maintain their statutory services at the present level; how many will be able to reduce their rate bills; and how many will be able to limit their increases to the likely inflation rate during 1983–84.
§ Mr. Kingthe scale of rate increases next year will depend upon the decisions of each local authority. If local authorities plan to meet their expenditure targets, the average rate increase next year will be very low.