§ Mr. Shersbyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether subscriptions to the Association of London Authorities by local authorities count when determining penalty under the provisions for determining rate support grant.
§ Mr. WaldegraveIf these subscriptions are valid payments by local authorities under section 143 of the Local Government Act 1972, they form part of an authority's total expenditure, which is compared with its expenditure target in calculating liability to grant holdback.
§ Mr. Shersbyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has any contact with the Association of London Authorities; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WaldegraveMy right hon. Friend has received a request from this association that it should be included in the Department's arrangements for consulting local authorities. He is considering this request.