Speeches, etc.

Margaret Thatcher

Letter to Neil Kinnock MP (rate capping)

Document type: Speeches, interviews, etc.
Venue: No.10 Downing Street
Source: Thatcher Archive: CCOPR 488/84
Editorial comments: MT was replying to a letter from the Leader of the Opposition earlier that day.
Importance ranking: Minor
Word count: 131
Themes: European elections, Local government finance

Dear Mr Kinnock

Thank you for your letter of 13 June.

I entirely reject your accusation that I have misled the House. As Patrick Jenkin has told Jack Cunningham we are looking at a variety of ways in which the powers proposed in the Rates Bill might be applied. Each method produces different local authorities which could be subject to rate capping—indeed we have taken the trouble to provide the House with examples of such authorities. We have taken no decision on the criteria to be used and will not do so before the legislation is enacted.

Would it be too much to hope that this is the last of your election stunts?

Yours sincerely

Margaret Thatcher.