§ Ms BlackmanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to review the area cost adjustment mechanism. [1536]
§ Mr. RaynsfordI will want to look again at the area cost adjustment. The Department has commissioned further work on some of the concerns raised in response to the Review of the Area Cost Adjustment during 1996. I will also want to listen carefully to the views of local government about the adjustment before coming to conclusions about the way forward.