§ Mr. GorrieTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of Scottish local authorities(a) savings and (b) additional expenditure arising from local government reorganisation in the years 1995–96, 1996–97, 1997–98, 1998–99 and 1999–2000. [8196]
§ Mr. Chisholm[holding answer 21 July 1997]: The previous Administration made certain assumptions in setting the last three local government finance settlements and the planned figures for the next two years. The Government do not endorse those assumptions, but we are committed to live within the existing public expenditure control totals for this year and next. Within those totals we have, however, allocated an additional £89 million for schools in 1998–99 to reflect the priority we attach to education. My right hon. Friend has made it clear that this will be the only change of substance to the forward expenditure plans for local government current expenditure in 1998–99.