HC Deb 08 February 1984 vol 53 cc650-1W
20. Mr. Campbell-Savours

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many representations he has received in total from local authorities and others since the publication of the Rates Bill.

Mr. Waldegrave

About 400.

21. Mr. Stan Thorne

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his estimate of the average savings per household in the first year as a result of the proposals contained in the Rates Bill.

Mr. Patrick Jenkin

Capping the rates of the highest spenders will produce both economies in spending and more block grant for the authorities concerned; I have no doubt that the benefits for households in those authorities will be substantial.

52. Mr. Park

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what advice he has received from the English local authority associations regarding the Rates Bill.

Mr. Waldegrave

I have received no advice regarding the Rates Bill from the English local authority associations since its publication. Detailed comments on the White Paper "Rates" (Cmnd. 9008), whose contents are reflected in the Bill, were provided by the Association of County Councils, the Association of Metropolitan Authorities, the Association of District Councils, and the National Association of Local Councils.

62. Mr. Crowther

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list in the Official Report a breakdown of the grades of the additional staff required under the proposed selective powers in the Rates Bill.

Mr. Waldegrave

It is too early to provide a detailed analysis by grade of the staff required to implement the selective rate limitation scheme.