HC Deb 12 May 1983 vol 42 cc460-1W
Mr. Latham

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will bring up to date the reply given by the hon. Member for Pudsey (Mr. Shaw) on 13 July 1982, Official Report, c 332, regarding transactions subject to betterment levy cun-ently under consideration by his Department.

Mr. Giles Shaw

As at 31 March 1983 there were 292 transactions subject to betterment levy under consideration. Of these:

  1. (a) 272 were determined assessments still unpaid;
  2. (b) 20 were in dispute but still under negotiation, and
  3. (c) Nine of the determined assessments still unpaid have been the subject of a decision of the Lands Tribunal.

Mr. Latham

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, supplementary to the reply by the hon. Member for Pudsey (Mr. Shaw) on 13 July 1982, Official Report, c. 332, he is now in a position to discontinue the collection of betterment levy under part Ill of the Land Commission Act 1967.

Mr. Giles Shaw

The number of cases outstanding continues to decline, but the amount of levy being collected and remaining to be collected is still significant. I cannot yet predict when collection can be discontinued.

Mr. Latham

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will bring up to date the figures given by the hon. Member for Pudsey (Mr. Shaw) on 13 July 1982, Official Report, c. 333, regarding the yield, related staffing and cost of collection of betterment levy.

Mr. Giles Shaw

Levy and interest thereon collected in the last three years has been as follows:

£
1980–81 83,630
1981–82 32,569
1982–83 251,970

The overall administrative costs of collection in 1982–83 are estimated at about £28,000.