asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the total gross expenditure on rate fund services for each year from 1970–71 to 1974–75; what is the total expenditure on wages and salaries for rate fund services for each year; and what is the expenditure on wages and salaries expressed as a percentage of gross expenditure on rate fund services for each year.

The figures are contained in the publication, "Local Government Financial Statistics: England and Wales", 1974–75 and earlier editions, presented to Parliament pursuant to section 168(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, and available in the Library.