HC Deb 14 June 1989 vol 154 c1012

`(1) In section 10 of the Abolition of Domestic Rates Etc. (Scotland) Act 1987, the following subsections shall be substituted for subsections (6) and (7)— (6) The standard community charge due to a local authority in respect of any financial year shall be the product of—

  1. (a) the personal community charge; and
  2. (b) the standard community charge multiplier, determined in respect of that year by the local authority, provided that if the authority sees fit, different multipliers may be determined for properties of different specified classes.
(6A) A specified class is such class as may be specified in regulations made by the Secretary of State. (6B) If the Secretary of State so requires by regulations, a multiplier for a specified class of property shall not exceed whichever of the following specifies in the regulations as regards the class, namely, 0, ½, 1, 1½ and 2. (6C) A class may be specified by reference to such factors as the Secretary of State sees fit. (6D) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (6C) above, a class may be specified by reference to one or more of the following factors—
  1. (a) the physical characteristics of properties
  2. (b) the fact that properties are unoccupied or are occupied for prescribed purposes or by persons of prescribed descriptions;
  3. (c) the circumstances of persons subject to standard community charges.
 (6E) In determining the annual revenue support grant, the Secretary of State shall take into account the determination by each local authority of the multiplier for each specified class of property. (7) In subsection (6) above the 'standard community charge multiplier,' means whichever of the following, namely 0, ½, 1, 1½ or 2, as the local authority which determines the personal community charge to which the multiplier is applied shall, before such date in each year as may be prescribed, determine. 2. (1) This section shall come into effect on the day following the passing of this Act. (2) This section applies to Scotland only".'.—[Mr. Wallace.]

Brought up, and read the First time.

Mr. Wallace

I beg to move, That the clause be read a Second time.

Madam Deputy Speaker (Miss Betty Boothroyd)

With this it will be convenient to take the following: New clause 6—Power of Sheriff to hear evidence in summary appeals under the Abolition of Domestic Rates Etc. (Scotland) Act 1987— '(1) After subsection (1) of section 29 of the 1987 Act, there shall be inserted the following subsection— (1A) In considering an appeal under this Act the sheriff may hear evidence by or on behalf of any party to the appeal (1B) In this section the "1987 Act" means the Abolition of Domestic Rates Etc. (Scotland) Act 1987, (2) This section shall come into force on the day following the day on which it is passed, and shall extend to Scotland only.'. New clause 44—Women's refuges— 'In section 11 of the Abolition of Domestic Rates Etc. (Scotland) Act 1987, the following subsection shall be added after subsection (2)— 2A. This section does not apply to premises which are used wholly or mainly for the purpose of providing protected accommodation to women who are or have been threatened with or subjected to violence by their husbands or partners; which premises shall be subject to non domestic rates.".'.

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