§ Mr. SteenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many appeals against assessment of uniform business rate for 1990–91 are awaiting completion; if any extra staff have been employed to speed the progress of such appeals; and when he expects all appeals against assessment of uniform business rate for 1990–91 to be completed.
§ Mr. KeyRatepayers had six months from 1 April 1990 in which to make proposals to alter their 1990 rating assessments and valuation officers then had a further six months to settle the proposal before the matter became an appeal. Most proposals were not received as appeals to tribunals until the latter part of that financial year.
At the end of September 1991, valuation and community charge tribunals in England had outstanding some 597,000 non-domestic rating appeals, following the 168W clearance of 90,000. The tribunals have recruited extra staff and were provided with computer systems. Staffing levels are kept under review. The speed at which appeals are cleared is primarily a matter for the individual tribunals.