Written question asked by Lord Livsey of Talgarth (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 2 December 1998, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 9 December 1998. It was answered by Jon Owen Jones (Labour) on Wednesday, 9 December 1998 on behalf of the Welsh Office.

Welsh Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what measures his Department has taken to encourage local authorities in Wales to repay debt.

Answer: Mr. Livsey: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what measures his Department has taken to encourage local authorities in Wales to repay debt. [62653] Mr. Jon Owen Jones: Local authorities' new borrowing is regulated by the issue of credit approvals in accordance with Government policy. Authorities have a statutory duty to make provision to meet their existing debts. It is for them to decide whether it would be prudent to repay any loan before they are contractually required to do so.

Secondary information