HC Deb 22 March 1984 vol 56 cc535-6W
Mr. Tony Banks

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give details of the response by the Association of Chief Executives of the London boroughs to his proposals in Cmnd. 9063; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Waldegrave

I must ask the hon. Member to await the summary analysis of the main points arising from consultation.

Mr. Tony Banks

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer of 1 March, Official Report, column 277, on what evidence he based his concern that some metropolitan authorities might give staff artificial pay increases or regradings in the lead-up to abolition.

Mr. Waldegrave

Such concern has been expressed to us on a number of occasions. The need for provisions to deal with this possibility has also been recognised in previous reorganisations.

Mr. Tony Banks

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received from the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux in response to his White Paper, Cmnd. 9063; and why this representation was not listed in the list of responses from major national organisations placed in the Library.

Mr. Waldegrave

Most of this information, for the years 1978–79 to 1981–82, is given in table 1 of the annual publication "Local Government Financial Statistics", with some supporting information in other tables. For the years 1978–79 and 1979–80, the information is given in respect of England and Wales — for later years, for England only. Information for 1982–83 will be published in the same publication in summer 1984. Rate income net of rate rebates and domestic rate relief grant can be split between categories of ratepayer in the following proportions:

Mr. Waldegrave

I must ask the hon. Member to await the summary analysis of the main points arising from consultation. The association was inadvertantly omitted from the list in the Library. An amended and updated list is now being prepared.

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