§ Mr. Michael Forsythasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list for each local authority in England the amount spent in the most recent year for which figures are available which depend on section 137 of the Local Government Act 1972 for their authority.
§ Mr. WaldegraveI regret that this information is not available centrally. I am arranging for it to be collected for 1982–83.
§ Mr. Amessasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if, in view of the effect of high rates on businesses, he will take action against all local authorities spending in excess of their expenditure targets.
§ Mr. WaldegraveThe minority of authorities which do not meet their expenditure targets know that their block grant entitlement will be reduced. The first supplementary report for 1983–84 implementing our proposals to withhold grant from authorities exceeding their targets was laid before the House on 4 July. Some authorities, including those which do not qualify for block grant, have chosen to spend regardless of the effect on their businesses and domestic ratepayers. The Government will, therefore, 199W shortly be publishing a White Paper setting out their proposals for curbing excessive rate increases by high spending local authorities.