§ Mr. Corbynasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the effect of his ratecapping proposals for the London borough of Islington on the extent and quality of services to be provided there; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Kenneth BakerThe London borough of Islington's expenditure level for 1985–86 represents a cash freeze on its budgeted total expenditure for 1984–85. This scale of savings has frequently been achieved by other authorities in the past; it is for the council to decide how to achieve it. If the council feels it cannot live within its expenditure level, the provisions in the Rates Act 1984 gives it the right to apply for a redetermination of that level. Since it has not applied, I assume it is content with the level set.