§ Mr. Pavittasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the use of public funds on information for ratepayers by national authorities.
§ Mr. WaldegraveIt is normal practice for the Government to use publicity paid for from public funds to explain the workings of new legislation approved by Parliament. The selective rate limitation provisions in the Rates Act will in 1985–86 affect around 5 million householders in areas covered by the 18 councils selected for rate limitation. The advertisement which appeared in the Press both locally and nationally, and the leaflets distributed to affected householders, explain how the selective rate limitation scheme works and what it will mean to the ratepayers concerned.