§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if money paid by a health authority to a local authority under the terms of section 1 of the Health and Social Services and Social Security Adjudications Act 1983 is to be taken into account for ratecapping calculations; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. RumboldThe rate limits proposed for rate-capped authorities are based on the level of total expenditure earlier determined for them. Total expenditure is reduced by most payments into the rate fund including payments by a health authority towards projects which they jointly finance with local authorities. Rate-capped authorities have until 22 January to indicate whether or not they agree to their proposed rate limit, and if they consider it inadequate to cover their spending needs to seek agreement with the Secretary of State on a higher limit.