§ Mr. Richard Shepherdasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what co-operation he has had from the borough of Walsall in his endeavours to contain local government spending since May 1980; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. KingThe borough of Walsall exceeded its expenditure target for 1980–81 by 6.5 per cent. and has budgetted to spend above its 1981–82 target by 15.7 per cent. The high rate levels which this level of spending requires can only have adversely affected the business and employment prospects of the area.