HC Deb 30 October 1989 vol 159 cc76-7W
Mr. David Steel

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will seek to increase funding to local authority trading standards departments, so as to enable them to combat unlicensed moneylenders.

Mr. Christopher Patten

The main avenue for Government support for local authority services will be revenue support grant, which is in aid of services generally. It is for local authorities to decide how much to spend on any particular activity.