§ Mr. Wrigglesworthasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received alleging anomales in the operation of the rating system arising from section 21 of the Local Government Act 1974; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WaldegraveI have received many representations critical of the operation of this provision, which provides rate relief until the next revaluation to ratepayers who have installed central heating or carried out minor improvements since 1974. Because there has been no revaluation since 1973, beneficiaries have enjoyed relief for longer than was originally intended. As I indicated in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Wirral, South (Mr. Porter) on 24 October 1983—[Vol. 47; c.7–8]—we are urgently considering the case for a domestic revaluation, including the issues raised by section 21.