§ Mr. Nicholas BrownTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his policy towards central funding of local authorities which have financial difficulties due to(a) the collapse of BCCI, (b) late rating appeals and (c) interest rate swaps; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. KeyThe local authorities affected by such financial difficulties should expect to resolve them for themselves, rather than expect funds from central Government, but the Government will always consider on their merits any proposals which affected local authorities may make.