HC Deb 02 November 1989 vol 159 cc274-6W
Mr. David Nicholson

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list(a) the total amounts raised by domestic rates in each of the years 1984–85, 1985–86, 1986–87 and 1987–88, (b) the rate in the pound in each year and (c) the estimated number of domestic hereditaments on which rates were payable for each year in the London boroughs of (i) Islington, (ii) Camden and (iii) Lambeth.

Mr. David Hunt

The figures sought are:

Domestic rate income £m Average domestic rate poundage Pence Number of domestic hereditaments '000s
Islington
1984–85 49.1 233.5 68.6
1985–86 46.9 229.1 69.0
1986–87 42.8 184.3 69.4
1987–88 41.5 172.1 70.5
Lambeth
1984–85 62.3 233.1 104.6
1985–86 60.4 224.6 105.4
1986–87 58.4 217.2 106.6
1987–88 54.5 205.6 108.3
Camden
1984–85 59.2 202.7 78.2
1985–86 60.9 209.0 79.2
1986–87 62.6 209.4 80.1
1987.88 65.1 213.2 81.5

Note: Figures for domestic rate income are net of rate relief grant and gross of rebates.

Mr. David Nicholson

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his estimate of the current cost of a revaluation of domestic properties for rateable purposes.

Mr. David Hunt

The Government do not consider a revaluation of domestic property to be viable using rental values because of the lack of market rental evidence. I have therefore made no such estimate.

Mr. David Nicholson

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what policy has applied since 1982 towards the revaluation of domestic properties for rateable purposes; what estimates he has of the number of domestic properties in the London boroughs of(a) Islington, (b) Camden and (c) Lambeth, which have been revalued for rateable purposes since 1982; and what are the general reasons for those revaluations having taken place.

Mr. David Hunt

Since the last general revaluation in 1973 rateable values of domestic properties have been altered most commonly because of a change in the physical state of the property or in its environment. I estimate that some 3,200,000 alterations have been made to the rateable values of domestic property in England since 1982. No estimates are available for particular local authority areas.

Mr. Baldry

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the percentage registration for the community charge in the Cherwell district council area.

Mr. Chope

I understand that registration for the community charge is going ahead successfully in Cherwell and that to date some 98 per cent. of chargepayers have been registered.

Mr. Campbell-Savours

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received on the community charge.

Mr. Chope

I have received representations from individual local authorities and other bodies. My Department has also held a number of discussions with the local authority associations.

Mrs. Maureen Hicks

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether any consideration has been given to exempting foreign language assistants employed in the United Kingdom from paying the community charge.

Mr. Chope

It would not be appropriate to provide exemption for foreign language assistants. They will be subject to a personal community charge if they are solely or mainly resident in Great Britain. Foreign language assistants who fall within the definition of full-time students will be eligible for 80 per cent. relief of the charge. Decisions on whether an individual is solely or mainly resident in Great Britain, and is a full-time student, are initially for the community charges registration officer.