§ 1. Mr. N. MACLEAN(for Mr. KIRK-WOOD) asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of industrial firms and companies in Scotland which have been derated under the 1929 Derating Act; and what is the annual amount they receive in derating and the total rebate since 1929?
§ Mr. SKELTONI have no information as to the number of industrial firms and companies which have been derated under the derating provisions of the Local Government (Scotland) Act, 1929, but the total annual rate-reduction due to those provisions is, on the basis of the standard year (1928–29), approximately £3,340,000. Of this amount it is estimated that about half, or £1,670,000, represents the benefit applicable to industrial subjects. Figures for later years are not available, but I have no reason to suppose that the amount of relief has varied substantially. Accordingly, the total relief for the four years since 16th May, 1930, may be taken as roughly £6,500,000.