HC Deb 15 January 1998 vol 304 cc299-300W
17. Mr. Chope

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he next plans to meet leaders of the Local Government Association to discuss the control total for local government for 1998–99. [21068]

Mr. Darling

The Government have already announced for consultation their proposals for the local authority finance settlement for 1998–99. In his statement to the House on 2 December 1997,Official Report, columns 157–64 my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions explained that the arrangements would be finalised after a period of consultation with local authorities and others. He also referred to the establishment of a new central-local partnership which will provide an ongoing forum for discussion of all major issues of concern between the government and the Local Government Association.