HC Deb 08 November 1995 vol 265 cc996-7W
Ms Ruddock

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has had regarding the revenue support grant to local authorities with respect to contaminated land, given their new duties under the Environment Act, 1995. [40355]

Mr. Gummer

The local authority associations referred to the new requirements in respect of contaminated land under the Environment Act 1995 in their report "The Spending Needs of Local Services 1996–97 to 1998–99" which was considered by the Consultative Council on Local Government Finance when it met under my chairmanship on 17 July.

Mr. Flynn

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the average rent of a council dwelling in England in 1979; and what is the most recent figure calculated in real terms. [40358]

Mr. Clappison

The average weekly local authority rent in England in April 1979 was £6.41. The corresponding figure in April 1995 was £38.34 and this equates to £14.90 in 1979–80 prices after adjusting for inflation using the GDP deflator.