asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the amount of the annual domestic rate subsidy paid to Newark Borough Council, and Newark and Southwell Rural District Councils, respectively, in poundage and amount for each year since the subsidy was paid; and what increase is proposed for the coming financial year.

The latest estimates of the domestic element for these three local authorities are as follows:

	Newark Borough Council	Newark Rural District Council	Southwell Rural District Council
	£	£	£
1967–68	9,646	5,390	16,578
1968–69	19,654	11,227	34,494
1969–70	30,282	17,557	54,218
1970–71	41,478	24,062	74,277

The amount of the first estimate for 1971–72 together with revised estimates for the two previous years are to be notified to the local authorities early in the New Year. The domestic element provides for the following reductions in rate poundage:

	Dwelling-houses	Mixed hereditaments
1967–68	5d.	2d.
1968–69	10d.	5d.
1969–70	1s. 3d.	7d.
1970–71	1s. 8d.	10d.
1971–72	1s. 10·8d.	10·8d.
	(9½p)	(4½p)