asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the rate rise, expressed as a percentage on the old rate, for ratepayers living in the metropolitan council areas; and which metropolitan council charged the biggest percentage increase, which was second, third, and fourth biggest and which the lowest.

The estimated increase in domestic rate poundages in 1980–81 in the metropolitan council areas is 29·8 per cent. The four highest increases and the lowest increase in these areas are: