asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what will be the total reduction in grant to Hertfordshire as a whole as a result of the decision to replace the variable domestic element by a flat rate of 13p; and what the loss of grant will be to the Welwyn and Hatfield district in particular.

As a result of the decision to replace the variable domestic element by a flat rate of 13p the reduction in grant is estimated to be £2·6 million for Hertfordshire as a whole, and £0·2 million for the Welwyn Hatfield district.