§ Lord Harmar-Nichollsasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they now propose to accept the recommendation in the Widdicombe Report for an immediate increase in the financial limit on spending under Section 137 of the Local Government Act 1972 for metropolitan district and London borough councils.
§ The Minister of State, Department of the Environment (Lord Elton)My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for the Environment has decided to study whether special provision for local authorities to spend on economic development is desirable or necessary. The proper level of spending authority under Section 137 is obviously dependent on decisions taken about economic development. We hope to be able to come to conclusions about this by early in the new year. Meanwhile we have no plans for interim measures.