To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will set out in real terms the cost of local government between 1979–80 and predicted 1990–91 on the basis of (a) total expenditure and (b) expenditure pro rata for a comparable level of services and the equivalent level of income tax that would be required to finance local government expenditure (a) at present levels of services and (b) at service levels equivalent to 1979–80, in each of those years.

I will write to the hon. Member.