§ 14. Sir Kenneth Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will take into account the good behaviour of local authorities in keeping to previous government guidance on spending when fixing the rate support grant.
§ Mr. WaldegraveThe expenditure targets issued to local authorities on 14 December make significantly less severe demands of low spending authorities than on high spenders.
§ 62. Mr. Cunliffeasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received from local authorities following his statement on 1984–85 rate support grant on 14 December.
§ Mr. WaldegraveMy right hon. Friend heard the views of the local authority associations at a meeting of the Consultative Council on Local Government Finance on 14 December. A number of local authorities have made representations since then.
§ 29. Mr. Easthamasked the Secretary of State for the Environment by how much in real terms rate support grant has fallen since 1979.
§ Mr. WaldegraveIn cost terms—that is, adjusted for changes in general prices as measured by the GDP deflator—rate support grant in England has fallen by 15 per cent. between 1979–80 and 1983–84, but central Government support in the form of specific and supplementary grants has increased by 17 per cent. in real terms. In all, aggregate Exchequer grant has fallen by 10 per cent. in cost terms.