§ Mr. MackinlayTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the substance of representations he received other than from Harlow district council in deciding on the limits to be imposed on the council's rates for council tax for 1993–94.
§ Mr. BaldryWe received representations from both of the main opposition groups on Harlow council, and from the hon. Member for Harlow (Mr. Hayes). The Conservative group suggested various options for reducing the authority's expenditure, criticised a number of policy decisions taken by the authority and considered that a budget of about 11.5 million for 1993–94 would be achievable. These representations were supported by the hon. Member for Harlow.
The Liberal Democrat group considered that the final cap should be higher than our proposed cap but lower than the authority's alternative.
§ Mr. MackinlayTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment which representations made on behalf of Harlow district council in relation to the probable consequences of reductions in net expenditure contemplated by his proposed council tax cap he has rejected.
§ Mr. BaldryBefore taking his decision on the level of the final cap for Harlow my right hon. Friend took account of all the relevant available information, including all representations, both written and oral, made by and on behalf of the authority in support of its alternative cap.
§ Mr. MackinlayTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment from which hon. Members he has received representations about council tax capping for(a) Harlow and (b) Castle Point for 1993–94.
§ Mr. BaldryWe have received representations from the hon. Members for Harlow (Mr. Hayes) and for Castle Point (Dr. Spink) on capping for 1993–94 in relation to Harlow and Castle Point respectively.