asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the effect that the recently announced cuts in public expenditure will have upon the East Hampshire District Council plans for those services for which it is responsible.

It is for the council itself to decide how they are to be achieved within the broad guidelines set out in the circular issued to local authorities by my Department on 19th December (DOE Circular 157/73). A further circular on current expenditure will be issued shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what effect the cuts in public expenditure will have on grants available to the Hampshire County Council for road improvements.

It is too early to say.