§ Mr. Roy Hughesasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will consider a new initiative by his Department to assist local authorities to meet the needs of the elderly through the provision of increased residential accommodation whilst ensuring that those local authorities which take the measures necessary are not penalised through the rate support grant.
§ Mr. Giles ShawI refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 15 March by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Health and Social Security to the hon. Member for Gorton (Mr. Marks)—Vol. 39, c.136. The Government would expect authorities to accommodate expenditure within their expenditure guidance figures, in which case no liability for grant holdback would arise.