§ Mr. Terlezkiasked the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received about the use by local authorities in Wales of their powers to assist controversial organisations by use of section 137 of the Local Government Act 1972; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Wyn RobertsIn recent weeks my right hon. Friend has received five letters objecting to the proposals of four borough councils to give money to assist the families of striking miners. I understand that this expenditure will be made under section 137. A year ago four letters were received complaining about the issue of a leaflet supporting the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament by South Glamorgan county council; in this case it was not clear whether the expenditure was under section III, 137 or 142 of the Local Government Act 1972. In 1982–83, the latest year for which figures are available, the total expenditure of Welsh local authorities under section 137 was £3.1 million. This was 0.17 per cent. of their total expenditure of £1,865 million. Nineteen of the 45 authorities made no use of section 137 at all, and only five exceeded 50 per cent. of the maximum expenditure they could have incurred.
§ Mr. Gwilym Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the latest estimate for local authority capital and revenue spending in Wales in 1984–85; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Nicholas EdwardsWelsh local authorities have budgeted for total revenue expenditure of £1,465 million in 1984–85. I am not yet in a position to give a firm estimate of authorities' full-year capital expenditure as I am still considering the local authority associations' representatives' views about what the figure might be, taking into account various assumptions which can be made for capital receipts and payments arising in the year.