§ 139. Mr. William RossTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what total sums were collected by the Housing Executive in respect of rates for the Department of the Environment in each of the last three years for which figures are available; what was the cost of collection; what sums were transferred to the rates after the costs of collection were deducted; and how many dwellings were involved in each of those years.
§ Mr. HanleyI have been informed by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive that it is not possible to disaggregate the total value of rates collected as both rent and rates are collated and collected as one amount. This, also applies to the cost of rate collection.
The Housing Executive has an agreement with the Department of the Environment (NI) under article 21(a) of the Rates (NI) Order 1977 by which it pays the rates chargeable in respect of each of its properties whether they 667W are occupied or not. The executive receives an allowance of 10 per cent. when payment in full is made on or before the prescribed date in the agreement.
Over the last three years the rates paid by the executive to the Department were as follows:
Net Rates Paid Years £'000 1988–89 31,321 1989–90 33,912 1990–91 35,827 The number of properties involved were:—
Rateable Properties Year Number At 31 March 1989 180,576 At 31 March 1990 176,097 At 31 March 1991 172,032