§ Ms. WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will meet representatives from Newcastle borough council and local authority associations to discuss section 215 of the Local Government Act 1972 involving the additional costs incurred following the taking over of maintenance of closed churchyards.
§ Mr. Robin SquireNo. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment has no plans to amend section 215 of the Local Government Act 1972, which simply continues a system which has existed since 1855. Such costs are taken into account when deciding the revenue support grant.