asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received from the Association of County Councils and others regarding disparities in the distribution of the rate support grant for 1978–79.

Despite the fact that some two-thirds of non-metropolitan countries will enjoy real increases in their needs element entitlements in 1979–80, the association has produced memoranda arguing that the settlement has discriminated against its members. We have told the association that we do not accept this. In addition, a few individual authorities have complained that they are not getting enough needs element.