To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 23 July, Official Report, column 624, if he will provide an exemplification for each local authority of the revenue support grant they would receive in 1998–99 based on the figures for local government published in the Red Book and adjusted by the Budget, applying the distribution methodology used in the 1997–98 settlement. [10953]

It is not possible to provide direct exemplifications in the manner requested. My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer made stated additions to net total standard spending and net aggregate external funding in the Budget. However, no decision has yet been made on the level of revenue support grant for 1998–99. A decision on the level of revenue support grant for 1998–99 will be announced later this year.