§ Mr. Chris Smithasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will estimate how much rating income will hi:. lost to local authorities if the power to levy rates on empty property is suspended; and if he will make good to local authorities the income so forgone.
§ Mr. WaldegraveThe Rating and Valuation Association in its publication "General Rate Poundages and Products (England and Wales) 1983–84" estimate that in 1983–84 local authorities expected to raise about £94 million in empty property rates. However the Government intend only to suspend local authorities' powers to levy rates on empty industrial property from 1 April 1984. We have taken account of the effect this will have on the income of local authorities in determining the amount and distribution of rate support grant.
§ Mr. Chris Smithasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how he intends to define "industrial" for the purposes of suspending local authorities' powers to levy empty property rates on industrial properties; and what representations he has received on the matter of this definition.
§ Mr. WaldegraveWe have consulted interested organisations, including the local authority associations and representatives of business, on a draft of regulations. These would, subject to parliamentary procedures, suspend local authorities' powers to levy rates on empty industrial hereditaments from 1 April 1984. The definition of industrial hereditaments for this purpose was
any hereditament which:
- (a) comprises a factory, mill or other premises of a similar character constructed or adapted wholly or mainly for use for industrial purposes; and
- (b) if previously used was last used wholly or mainly for an industrial purpose."
My right hon. Friend has received a number of representations in response which he is currently considering. He hopes to lay regulations before the House shortly.
§ Mr. Maudeasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what were the total sums collected in each of the last three years by local authorities through the 50 per rent. rating on empty industrial properties.
(2) what were the total sums collected in each of the last three years by local authorities through the 50 per cent. rating on empty commercial properties.
§ Mr. WaldegraveThe Rating and Valuation Association in its annual publications "General Rate Poundages and Products (England and Wales)" estimates that over the past three years local authorities will have collected the following amounts in rates on empty properties:
£ million 1983–84 94 1982–83 92 1981–82 66 These figures are not broken down into the amounts attributable to particular categories of property.