§ Sir Peter EmeryTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what response he174W has made to the request from Devon county council for dispensation to pay for its redundancy and restructuring costs over a period of years. [118503]
§ Ms ArmstrongDevon county council asked to be allowed to treat these revenue costs as capital expenditure. Such applications are granted only when we conclude, in accordance with published criteria, that the costs could not be met out of available revenue resources. My officials have notified the council that, on the basis of the figures provided in January, the criteria are not satisfied and that consent will not be given.