§ 22. Mr. Sydney Irvingasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what was the total overall percentage increase in the rating assessments included in the new valuation lists, and the increase for each of the three main classes of property.
§ Sir K. JosephComparing the lists sent to local authorities in December with those then in force, rateable values increased in aggregate by 168.5 per cent. The increases for the main classes of property were: domestic properties 135W 176.2 per cent.; shops 160.7 per cent.; other commercial properties 162.4 per cent.; industry 290.8 per cent.; miscellaneous 105.8 per cent. In the new lists all assessments are based on current values and there is no de-rating. In the old lists domestic assessments were based on 1939 values; other classes of property were assessed on current values, but industrial properties were de-rated by 50 per cent. and shops and other commercial properties by 20 per cent.
§ 24. Mr. Hiltonasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if, for rating purposes, he will treat buildings used for intensive livestock and poultry production on the same basis as all other agricultural hereditaments.
§ Sir K. JosephLegislation would be required and there is none in prospect at present. I am considering with my right hon. Friend, the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, whether it would be possible to draw any more equitable dividing line between buildings which are rateable and those which are exempt. Whilst I am well aware of the feelings of those producers who now find themselves liable for rates I must also consider the interests of other ratepayers.