Arts Organisations (Rate Revenue)

HC Deb 28 July 1988 vol 138 cc438-9W

Mr. Bowis

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the revenue from arts organisations to local government rates for each of the past 10 years.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

Based on rateable values for libraries, museums, art galleries etc. and theatres and music halls in England gross rate yields from these organisations are estimated as; follows:

	£ million
1979–80	10
1980–81	12
1981–82	16

	£ million
1982–83	18
1983–84	19
1984–85	21
1985–86	23
1986–87	26
1987–88	27
1988–89	29

Local authorities have the power to reduce or remit the payment of rates chargeable in respect of organisations whose main objects are concerned with education, social welfare, science, literature or the fine arts. The amount actually paid in rates by these organisations may therefore be less than the figures quoted.