Rating Relief (Disabled Persons)

HC Deb 13 May 1976 vol 911 cc258-9W

Mr. Weitzman

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, in view of the majority decision of the House of Lords in the case of Vandyke v. Oliver (Valuation Office), he will consider the introduction of legislation to enable a disabled person to obtain relief from rating.

Mr. John Silkin

Rate relief in respect of facilities for the disabled remains available under Section 45 of the General Rate Act 1967, but I am studying the implications of the House of Lords' decisiton in the Vandyke case in order to judge whether amending legislation is desirable.