§ Mr. PriskTo ask the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister what estimate he has made of the effect of section 8 of the Local Government Act 2003 on the competitiveness of small businesses. [135070]
§ Mr. RaynsfordSection 8 of the Local Government Act 2003 will have no effect on the competitiveness of small business. It forms part of the new local government capital finance system allowing local authorities to use borrowing and credit without Government consent, where they can afford to do so without extra Government support.