§ Mr. SteenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, further to his answer of 17 June,Official Report, column 572, regarding the appeal against the level of business rate by the Dittiscombe equestrian centre, Slapton, if he will bring forward the date of the hearing to 2 August to enable the appeal to he heard within two years from the date of the proposal being received by the Devon valuation tribunal.
§ Mr. Robin Squire[holding answer 29 June 1992]: Valuation tribunals are independent bodies, and it would not be right for the Department to interfere in the liming of specific cases.
However, I understand that the district valuation office has been negotiating with the agent representing the owner. It may be therefore that this case can be settled earlier without the need for the hearing.