§ Mr. Ken HargreavesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement about the estimated cost to local authorities of preparing for the council tax and the Government's plan for supporting this expenditure.
§ Mr. PortilloWe commissioned CSL management consultants to look into the likely costs of preparing for the council tax and they have advised that authorities in England will have to spend an estimated £156 million between now and 1 April 1993—mainly in 1992–93. I have placed a copy of the report in the Library. The Government have decided in 1992–93 to pay 75 per cent. grant, worth £86 million, in support of estimated revenue costs of £114.6 million and to issue supplementary credit approvals in support of capital expenditure of up to £41.2 million.