Rate Support Grant

Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at 6:10 pm on 16 January 1980.

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Photo of Mr George Cunningham Mr George Cunningham , Islington South and Finsbury 6:10, 16 January 1980

It is very convenient to suggest that one can reduce this complex apparatus to four variables, but is the right hon. Gentleman seriously suggesting that, for example, the area of the rating authority should not betaken into account? Is he seriously suggesting that the speed of population rise, which imposes severe burdens, and the speed of population decline, which imposes severe burdens on other areas, should not be taken into account? Does he not think that if one gets down to it one must have one factor after another, and that in the end one will return to something that is almost as complicated as the present arrangement?