§ Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will issue a circular deprecating the practice of local authority treasurers refusing to make rate rebate forms freely available to advisory agencies, and thereby reducing the numbers claiming a rate rebate.
§ Mr. Graham PageUnder the General Rate Act, 1967, responsibility for the administration of the rate rebate scheme rests with local authorities. I am not aware that the practice mentioned by the Hon. Member is general amongst local authority treasurers. I have been informed of only one such case, and am making inquiries into it. In the light of these inquiries I shall consider whether any further action is required.