To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what further information he has made available to local authorities about standard spending assessments.

Two publications, "Standard Spending Assessments: Background and Underlying Methodology", and the "Standard Spending Assessment Handbook 1990–91" were produced in August. These describe the way local authority services are reflected in standard spending assessments and how each SSA element is constructed. They are similar to the "Blue" and "Green Books" which we produced under the rate support grant system. Copies of the publications have today been placed in the Library of the House. Copies have also been sent to every local authority in England and to the local authority associations.

	Time commitment	£ per annum (from 1 April 1990)
Sir Godfrey Taylor (Chairman and Chief Executive)	Full-time	63,530
Mr. Jack Esling	2 days per week	15,350
Mr. Reg Hartles	2 days per week	15,350
Mr. Wallace Mackenzie, OBE	2 days per week	15,350
Mr. Michael Roberts	2 days per week	15,350
Cllr. Sir Peter Bowness, CBE	1 day per week	7,650
Mr. Jack Wolkind, CBE	1 day per week	7,650

Sir Godfrey Taylor was reappointed from 12 August 1990 and Mr. Hartles from 23 October 1989. All other members were reappointed from 12 August 1988.The total expenses paid to the chairman and members in 1988–89, the latest year for which information is available, was £6,430. Travelling arrangements are a matter for the residuary body.