§ Mr. Rod RichardsTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether he intends to charge-cap any Welsh authorities for 1992–93; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. David HuntI have carefully scrutinised all Welsh local authority budgets for 1992–93. I have decided in all the circumstances not to exercise my capping powers.
Most authorities have repaid the confidence which I placed in them by budgeting in line with the settlement. A few authorities could have done better. I therefore intend to announce provisional capping criteria in the autumn, in advance of the 1993–94 local government budgetary round. This will assist authorities as they take their budgetary decisions next year.