§ Mr. Allan Robertsasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has about the effect of the abolition of the metropolitan county councils and the Greater London council on the level of funding available for the formation of worker co-operatives; if he will make it his policy to ensure that the level of funding available for this purpose matches that available prior to 31 March; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. RumboldMy Department does not keep records of the amount of funding available for the formation of worker co-operatives since such funding is provided at the discretion of local authorities. The successor borough and district authorities have the same powers to provide such funding as were available to the former GLC and MCCs.
§ Mr. Allan Robertsasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce legislation increasing the level of moneys that may be raised under section 137 of the Local Government Act 1972 from 2p to 4p in the pound for the purpose of funding worker co-operatives; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. RumboldThe report of the committee of inquiry into the conduct of local authority business — the Widdicombe report—was laid before Parliament today. This recommends that the limit for spending under section 137 of the Local Government Act 1972 for the councils of the London boroughs and metropolitan districts be immediately increased from the product of a 2p rate to the product of a 4p rate. My right hon. Friend is looking carefully at the justification for this recommendation.