§ Mr. Ron DaviesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much local government reorganisation has cost so far; and to what extent that cost has been borne by(a) local and (b) central government. [27541]
§ Mr. Redwood[holding answer 9 June 1995]: There are no figures available centrally for expenditure by local authorities on local government reorganisation. It is up to local government to take advantage of the scope for savings available by bringing and planning, finance and other central administrative services under one control.
I have issued the following funding, which is additional to the local government revenue and capital settlements:
£ 1994–95 Supplementary credit approvals: IT 790,786 1995–96 Supplementary credit approvals: IT 19,209,189 Special grant 14,563,252 1 To 9 June 1995. A total of up to £19.5 million is to be issued under the Special Grant Report (Wales) 1995; of this £17.55 million will be issued in 1995–96. The expenditure on IT should produce savings in administration and management, if local authorities spend wisely. There will also be capital receipts from sale of assets that are surplus to requirements.