To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the qualifications and criteria by which barter deals between local authorities and the private sector will be judged to be bona fide transactions.

My right hon. Friend announced on 25 April, at columns 103–104, the criteria against which he would consider applications for additional capital allocations for schemes affected by the measures he announced on 9 March. Guidance on how to apply for such allocations will be issued to local authorities shortly.