§ 3.59 p.m.
§ Baroness Lane-FoxMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
The Question was as follows:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the estimated increase of non-domestic rate burden in the Greater London Area for the financial year 1981–82.
§ Lord BellwinMy Lords, the non-domestic rate burden in Greater London rose from £1.294 billion in 1980–81 to £1,706 billion in 1981–82, disregarding the supplementary rate issued by the GLC. The year-on-year increase in rate burden includes a gain in rateable value of 1.3 per cent.
§ Baroness Lane-FoxMy Lords, while thanking my noble friend the Minister for his Answer, disturbing as it is, I should like to ask him whether he is aware that the leaders of Labour boroughs in London have warned the GLC of the consequences of these substantial rate increases this year`? Would he not consider that the present rising trend could threaten chaos for London's jobs and industry of a kind favoured by the enemies of democracy?
§ Lord BellwinMy Lords, I have seen the expressed concern of the London borough Labour leaders and, of course, I share that concern with them, as I do with my noble friend who asked the Question. As to what the effects of this will be, I would refer my noble friend to a survey carried out at the beginning of December by the London Chamber of Commerce, which was quite dramatic in its answer to those who said that increases of this kind in rates to the non-domestic sector is of little consequence in so far as it affects jobs. It affects jobs and employment very much indeed.