HC Deb 11 June 1969 vol 784 cc1448-9
30. Mr. Stodart

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will introduce legislation to remove the anomaly by which rates have to be paid on a building containing fattening pigs, but not on one adjoining it which houses store pigs.

Mr. Buchan

As the hon. Gentleman is aware, my right hon. Friend is considering the issues raised by the rating of intensive livestock buildings. He hopes that his consideration will be completed fairly soon and he will announce his decision as soon as he is in a position to do so.

Mr. Stodart

Is the hon. Gentleman not aware that this is not a matter which concerns only intensive units? It goes far beyond now. Is he further aware that we are giving him every possible encouragement to make the statement, the expectation of which raised the hopes of farmers, as evidenced in their publication the other day which was headed, "A Statement At Last"? We are anxious to help him. Can we be assured that he will not allow his right hon. Friend to make him wait for Wheatley before doing so?

Mr. Buchan

If I may say so, that last aspect can be dismissed with contempt. The hon. Gentleman says that his right hon. and hon. Friends are anxious to give us every opportunity to make a statement. What he really means is that they will seek every opportunity at Question Time to put down these very complex Questions. He is not so naive as not to know many of the difficulties in this matter, and we want to come up with the right answer.

Mr. Lawson

Will my hon. Friend bear in mind that if there is to be any increase in the rates being borne by other people, it ought not to be of such a nature that the farmers, for instance, gain at the expense of others?

Mr. Buchan

All aspects of this problem will be taken into consideration, including the point put forward by my hon. Friend.