HC Deb 09 November 2000 vol 356 cc349-50W
Mr. Harvey

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will respond to the request by Devon county council in respect of the exemption from Council Tax penalties sums given to the Environment Agency for flood defence works in excess of the relevant SSA. [137527]

Ms Beverley Hughes

We will reply to Devon's request of 6 November when we have had time to consider the implications, particularly with regard to the Local Government Finance Settlement. The timetable for the Local Government Finance Settlement is expected to be similar to last year's.