HC Deb 29 July 1997 vol 299 cc190-1W
11. Mr. Ennis

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what measures he proposes to reduce the gap between those benefiting most and least in respect of the standard spending assessment formula-funded mechanism to determine local authorities' revenue support grant levels. [9358]

Mr. Raynsford

This is a matter which will be discussed on 30 July when officials from my Department and local government representatives consider proposals from Barnsley metropolitan borough council and others. We shall carefully consider any views expressed on this issue.

8. Mr. Mitchell

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals he has to review the financial allocations for the unitary authorities. [9355]

Mr. Raynsford

Under the local government reorganisation costs scheme, resources in the form of supplementary credit approvals are made available to reorganising authorities to cover transitional costs. Final bids under the scheme for 1996–97 are being evaluated and I expect to announce my decisions before the end of September.

We have invited bids for the mid-year review stage of the 1997–98 scheme, and expect to respond to these by the end of October.

15. Mr. Gerald Howarth

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received from local authorities about the abolition of the advance corporation tax credit and its impact on revenue support grant levels. [9362]

Ms Armstrong

My hon. Friend the Secretary of State has received representations from the Local Government Association which represents local authorities in England and Wales. I have received correspondence from Cambridgeshire county council.

21. Mr. Letwin

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the effect of recent interest rates rises on local authorities. [9368]

Mr. Raynsford

In overall terms, the impact on local authorities will be small and will be more than offset by increased interest receipts. Changes in interest rates will be taken into account in the formula for distributing grant under the local government finance settlement for 1998–99.

23. Mr. Nicholas Winterton

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what account has been taken of the effect on councils of the abolition of the advance corporation tax credit in his Department's spending plans. [9370]

Ms Armstrong

Steps are being taken to establish the impact on local authority pension funds following the next actuarial valuation of the fund in 1998. This information will be taken into account in determining the level of local authority provision for that and subsequent years.

24. Sir Teddy Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate his Department has made of the effect of recent interest rate rises on local authorities. [9371]

Mr. Raynsford

In overall terms, the impact on local authorities will be small and will be more than offset by increased interest receipts. Changes in interest rates will be taken into account in the formula for distributing grant under the local government finance settlement for 1998–99.