HC Deb 16 December 1997 vol 303 cc145-6W
17. Mr. Drew

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received in response to the changes in SSA announced in the 1998–99 local government settlement. [19411]

Ms Armstrong

We have received a number of representations from local authorities and others on Standard Spending Assessments.

18. Mr. Ennis

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on his review of the mechanisms in respect of local government finance. [19412]

Ms Armstrong

We announced the review of local government finance in July, taking forward our Manifesto commitments, in close collaboration with local government, business and other representative organisations. We will be consulting more widely on possible changes shortly and set out our proposals on Local Government in a White Paper next spring.

21. Siobhain McDonagh

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received in response to the changes in economic and social needs indices announced in the 1998–99 local government settlement. [19416]

23. Ms Beverley Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received in response to the changes in economic and social needs indices announced in the 1998–99 local government settlement. [19418]

Ms Armstrong

We have received a number of representations from local authorities and others in response to the changes in the economic and social needs indices announced in the provisional 1998–99 local government finance settlement.

20. Mr. Laurence Robertson

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to make a statement on the outcome of his review into the area cost adjustment. [19415]

Mr. Raynsford

We intend to commission further research to examine the specific cost approach to calculating the area cost adjustment element of standard spending assessments.

The research should report in May 1998. We will discuss its findings with the Local Government Association. Decisions will be taken on Standard Spending Assessments for 1999–2000 next autumn.