§ 37. Mr. AmessTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has yet received any request from Basildon district council for redetermination of his decision to rate cap the council; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ChopeMy right hon. Friend has received no request from Basildon district council for redetermination of his decision to rate-cap the council. He has, however, received representations from the council asking him to consider raising the rate limit proposed by him for 1988–89 and I met members and officials from the council on 27 January 1988 to consider the council's arguments for a higher rate limit in 1988–89.
The Secretary of State has considered all the information available to him and in an order laid before the House of Commons on 12 February he specified for Basildon district council a maximum rate of 49.68p confirming his original proposal made on 9 December.