§ Mr. Silvesterasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will change the level of mandatory rate relief for voluntary youth organisations from 50 to 75 per cent.; and what is his estimate of the costs of such a proposal.
§ Mr. Guy Barnett:The present position is that organisations which are charities are entitled to 50 per cent. rate relief in respect of properties they occupy for charitable purposes, and may be afforded additional relief at the discretion of the rating authority. Other organisations which are not established or conducted for profit, and whose main objects are charitable or are concerned amongst other things with social welfare may also be given relief at the discretion of the rating authority. My right hon. Friend has no proposals at present for changing the law in this respect, and we do not have the data on which to make an estimate of the cost of increasing the mandatory relief to youth organisations which are charities from 50 per cent. to 75 per cent.