asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, in the light of the serious housing problems in the Brent area, he will undertake to increase the allocation to the area in future rate support grant allocations.

We shall be considering a number of options for the 1981–82 rate support grant settlement in the autumn. Until then no undertakings about the distribution of grant to particular authorities can be given. I am, however, arranging for copies of the reports on grant-related expenditure and the new block grant system considered by the Consultative Council on Local Government Finance to be placed in the Library for the information of hon. Members.