HC Deb 13 March 1973 vol 852 cc323-4W
45. Mr. Terry Davis

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what reply he has sent to a letter dated 16th February from the Chairman of the Finance Committee of Worcestershire County Council regarding the need to devise some method of relieving the increase in rates to be paid by the domestic ratepayer as a result of revaluation and reduction in rate support grant.

46. Sir G. Nabarro

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he is aware that the Worcestershire County Council has officially represented to him that the individual ratepayer will suffer an unavoidable increase of 20 per cent. in the county rate, largely due to the revaluation and consequential reduction in the rate support grant, thereby occasioning up to 100 per cent. increase in rates payable and what relief he proposes to offer.

Mr. Graham Page

I would refer to the announcement made last Tuesday by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer and my right hon. and learned Friend about additional help to domestic ratepayers facing large increases in their rates due to revaluation. My right hon. and learned Friend is replying to the letter from the Chairman of the Finance Committee of the Worcestershire County Council drawing attention to these announcements.