§ Mr. FearnTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what plans his Department has to reduce the impact of the uniform business rate on the hotel trade.
§ Mr. NichollsI have no such plans. The transitional arrangements introduced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment will ensure that no existing business will face an annual increase of more than 20 per cent. in real terms. This phasing-in will last until 1995, and there is scope for it to be continued thereafter, should that prove to be necessary. My noble Friend Lord Strathclyde will continue to keep in touch with the hotel sector on this issue.