§ Mr. Barry Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of the amount of cash he expects to save following the implementation in Wales of the measures foreshadowed in the Rates Bill; and what is 614W present membership, the authorities on which members serve and the appointing association are as follows. Information on members political affiliation is neither sought nor held.
his estimate of the amount of cash overspent annually by local authorities in Wales since 1979 where his guidelines in the financial years since 1979 were disregarded.
§ Mr. Nicholas EdwardsIf individual local authorities in Wales spend in line with the expenditure guidance set, it should not be necessary to exercise the selective rate limitation powers of the Rates Bill.
I have issued expenditure guidance to individual local authorities in Wales since 1981–82. In 1981–82 the guidance related to current expenditure, and the aggregate excess was £9.8 million at November 1980 prices. For 1982–83 and 1983–84 the guidance was extended to cover authorities' total expenditure, and the aggregate cash excesses for these years were £22.6 million and £21.1 million, respectively, based on authorities' revised budgets for 1982–83 and authorities' budgets for 1983–84.
§ Mr. Barry Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Wales by what amount, and as what percentage, the expenditure of each of the county borough and district authorities has increased since 1979 in real terms.
§ Mr. Wyn RobertsI shall write to the hon. Gentleman as soon as possible.