Local Authorities (Hansard, 31 October 1988)

§ Dr. Cunningham
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what measures he proposes in relation to a general economic development power for local authorities; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Ridley
I am at present considering further the precise form of the proposals and I shall make a statement in due course.
537W

§ Dr. Cunningham
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he intends to publish a summary of responses received to his Department's consultation paper, "Local Authorities' Interests in Companies".

§ Mr. Ridley
I shall do so in due course.

§ Dr. Cunningham
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he intends to publish those responses to his Department's consultation paper, "Local Authorities' Interests in Companies", published on 13 June, which respondents indicated they would wish to be made available.

§ Mr. Ridley
I shall do so in due course.

§ Mr. Clay
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish a table showing public expenditure on general subsidies to local authorities, new towns and housing associations between 1977–78 and 1990–91 in 1987–88 prices.

§ Mr. Trippier
The table shows certain subsidies on housing made by the Department between 1977–78 and 1990–91. These are all revenue subsidies towards housing provision (broadly equating to section A of the housing, England Vote). They have been described as "general subsidies" in the past, although this terminology is now no longer used.

Public expenditure on general subsidies to local authorities, new towns and housing associations (pounds, million 1987–88 prices¹

General subsidies to

Local authorities² New towns³ Housing associations⁴

1977–78 1,929 177 36

1978–79 2,060 179 39

1979–80 2,237 177 42

1980–81 2,106 169 40

1981–82 1,224 158 49

1982–83 674 147 57

1983–84 336 143 30

1984–85 394 137 23

1985–86 444 98 27

1986–87 561 89 30

1987–88 473 83 36

1988–89⁵ 422 76 38

1989–90⁵ 432 74 41

1990–91⁵ 441 72 43

¹ Using GDP deflator.

² Primarily Main Housing subsidy, which is paid to local authorities in support of provision, repair and maintenance of their rented stock. does not include rate fund contributions.

³ Similar to ², but paid in support of new town housing.

⁴ Revenue grants and subsidies to housing associations: revenue deficit grant; hostel deficit grant; and grant affording relief from income tax, profits tax and corporation tax. Does not include capital grants to housing associations (HAG).

⁵ Provision figures taken from the 1988 Public Expenditure White Paper.

Public expenditure on general subsidies to local authorities, new towns and housing associations (pounds, million 1987–88 prices¹
	General subsidies to
	Local authorities²	New towns³	Housing associations⁴
1977–78	1,929	177	36
1978–79	2,060	179	39
1979–80	2,237	177	42
1980–81	2,106	169	40
1981–82	1,224	158	49
1982–83	674	147	57
1983–84	336	143	30
1984–85	394	137	23
1985–86	444	98	27
1986–87	561	89	30
1987–88	473	83	36
1988–89⁵	422	76	38
1989–90⁵	432	74	41
1990–91⁵	441	72	43
¹ Using GDP deflator.
² Primarily Main Housing subsidy, which is paid to local authorities in support of provision, repair and maintenance of their rented stock. does not include rate fund contributions.
³ Similar to ², but paid in support of new town housing.
⁴ Revenue grants and subsidies to housing associations: revenue deficit grant; hostel deficit grant; and grant affording relief from income tax, profits tax and corporation tax. Does not include capital grants to housing associations (HAG).
⁵ Provision figures taken from the 1988 Public Expenditure White Paper.