Written question asked by Patsy Calton (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 7 March 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 19 March 2002. It was answered by Lord Whitehead (Labour) on Tuesday, 19 March 2002 on behalf of the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions.

Dept for Transport Local Government and the Regions

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, how much has been given to local authorities in Government ring-fenced grants, broken down by local authority and service area, since 1997-98; and if he will make a statement. - Including fact that Tables in library Dep 02/653 and ref to Government White Paper Strong Local Leadership - Quality Public Services (Cm 5327).

Answer: Mrs. Calton: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how much has been given to local authorities in Government ring-fenced grants, broken down by local authority and service area, since 1997-98; and if he will make a statement. [42843] Dr. Whitehead: The information requested has been placed in the Libraries of the House. The Government have made clear in the Local Government White Paper "Strong Local Leadership-- Quality Public Services" that it will restrict ring-fencing to cases which are genuine high priorities for Government and where we cannot achieve our policy goal by securing output or outcome targets. We will be keeping all ring-fencing under review with the aim of removing it as soon as possible to do so.

Secondary information