§ Mr. Rossiasked the secretary of State for the Environment if he will issue a circular advising local authorities to take account of the problems created for the house-building industry by the rating of show houses and other recently erected unoccupied or unsold dwellings by local 119W authorities; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John SilkinI accept that local authorities should use their powers to rate empty property flexibly in the light of any problems and local circumstances affecting particular kinds of property. The relevant statutory provisions give them ample discretion for this purpose. I do not think that a circular of general guidance is called for at present, but I will keep the position under review.