§ Mr. Lathamasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will outline the reasons why he advised the Leicestershire county council on 11 December 1981 that its block grant allocation would be £127,700,000, but on 25 January 1982 reduced it to £126,790,000; and if he will take steps to prevent abortive work by local authorities in calculating their budgets on the basis of incorrect information supplied by his Department.
§ Mr. KingThe reason for the change in grant figures between the two dates was explained in the Department's letter to authorities of 25 January, a copy of which is in the Library. These changes to 1981–82 grant entitlements were required by law. On balance, it was to the advantage of authorities that the changes should be made before budgets and rates for 1982–83 were finalised. I am sending a copy of the letter to my hon. Friend.