asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what estimate he has made of the additional rate bur den on outer Essex should the reorganisation of local government in Greater London be decided upon.

As explained in the recent White Paper on London Government, reliable estimates are impossible at the present time.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the Essex County Council estimates that the increase in the rate burden for outer Essex will be approximately 3s.? Can he assure me that if this happens adequate compensation other than of a temporary nature will be given to outer Essex by the Government to prevent an unfair burden being placed on all ratepayers?

I assure my hon. Friend that, until much more is known about the transfer of buildings and staff, until the outer boundary is fixed and until the results of revaluation are known, no one will be able to make an estimate of the burden involved.

Will my right hon. Friend have regard to the special impact that rate increases will have on those who have borne the brunt of inflation? Would he envisage a reform of the rating system so that rates may be abated for individaul ratepayers on the basis of their Income Tax coding?

That is another and much larger question.