§ 50. Ms. Clare Shortasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received from Birmingham city council regarding the 1984–85 rate support grant settlement.
§ Mr. WaldegraveI have received no representations from Birmingham city council since my right hon. Friend announced the 1984–85 rate support grant settlement on 14 December 1983, at c. 1003.
§ 61. Mr. Bellasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will meet representatives of Middlesbrough borough council to discuss reductions in rate support grant for the authority.
§ Mr. WaldegraveSince 14 December 1983, when the rate support grant settlement for 1984–85 was announced, Middlesbrough borough council have not asked me to meet them. I should, however, be happy to consider any such request.
§ 70. Mr. Cowansasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received from Newcastle city council regarding the 1984–85 rate support grant settlement.
§ Mr. WaldegraveI have received a request from the city council that the total net increase in expenditure on urban programme projects by partnership and programme authorities between 1982–83 and 1984–85 should be disregarded for the purpose of calculating an authority's liability to grant abatement in 1984–85. It has also requested a disregard for local authority costs arising from redundancies and early retirement schemes. I will consider these representations very carefully before taking decisions later this year about the implementation of grant abatement in 1984–85.