§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received about the new distribution mechanism for civil defence grants. [88840]
§ Mr. George HowarthThe sole avenue of consultation on this issue has been the Local Government Association (LGA). In recognition that the issues excites strong views, exceptional approval was given for a joint Home Office/LGA Working Group to examine the issues surrounding grant redistribution. The Group met twice and, although a consensus was not reached, there were areas of agreement and Home Office adjusted its proposals following this consultation.
Since work began on the new distribution mechanism, written representations have been received from many different types of local authority affected by proposed changes. Some of this has been Ministerial but correspondence has been dealt with by officials.
The outcome of the new mechanism was announced to Winchester Chief Executives in a letter dated 26 May.
§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list in respect of each local authority in England and Wales(a) the amount paid in civil grant in 1999–2000, (b) the provisional maximum allocation of civil defence grant for 2000–01 and (c) the provisional maximum allocation of civil defence grant for 2001–02; and if he will make a statement.[88881]
§ Mr. George HowarthThe completion of the local government reorganisation process has provided an opportunity to reassess the distribution of civil defence grant to local authorities in England and Wales, and consultation has taken place between Home Office and the Local Government Associatiion (LGA). An announcement about the new mechanism was made to Chief Executives in a letter of 26 May.
As the information required is lengthy, tables have been placed in the Library. Copies of these tables were sent to the LGA and the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives (SOLACE) at the time of the announcement.