§ Sir Trevor SkeetTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will cap the community charge for North Bedfordshire which has substantially exceeded the figure recommended by the Government.
§ Mr. ChopeSelection of authorities for capping has to be on general principles and it would not be right for me to speculate on whether North Bedfordshire borough council or any other authority would be capped if my right hon. Friend needed to use his capping powers for next year; but he has made it clear that if authorities insist on budgeting excessively he will not hestitate to cap them.