Foreign Governments (Rates Bills)

HC Deb 27 June 1991 vol 193 cc550-1W

Mr. Ron Brown

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which Governments with official premises in London have not paid their rates bills; what are the individual amounts concerned; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Maples

The Crown Property Unit, formerly the Rating of Government Property Department, collects the beneficial portion of the rates from diplomatic missions.

The following missions have arrears outstanding in respect of claims made before 1 April 1991 on official premises in London.

	Amount outstanding (£)
Afghanistan	12,300
Cote d'lvoire	14,900
France	10,900
Grenada	5,000
Iran	16,200
Iraq	115,300
Jordan	1,500

	Amount outstanding (£)
Liberia	1,200
Libya	21,300
Morocco	4,000
Pakistan	8,600
Portugal	1,900
Sierra Leone	13,100
Sudan	1,000
Uganda	34,900
Venezuela	26,600
Zambia	6,800

The Crown Property Unit and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office regularly approach countries that are in arrears and urge them to make payment.