§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will rank each county council and unitary authority according to the per capita level per authority, listing the grant amount in each case. [154377]
§ Mr. RaynsfordTwo tables have been made available in the Library of the House. The first table shows the per capita 2004–05 formula grant for shire counties, ranked in order. The second table shows the per capita 2004–05 formula grant for unitary authorities (i.e. London boroughs (including the City of London), metropolitan districts, and shire unitary authorities).
Two tables have been provided since shire counties do not provide the same services as unitary authorities. Unitary authorities provide a broadly equivalent service to both shire counties and shire districts in two-tier shire areas.
1357WHowever care should be taken even when comparing only shire counties or only unitary authorities.
Shire counties that are in areas where Local Government Re-organisation has occurred do not have responsibility for fire services, whereas the other shire counties do.
The City of London has additional responsibility for police services within its area and the Isle of Wight and Isles of Scilly have responsibility for fire services within their areas. Within the London area, responsibility for public transport lies with Transport for London.