§ Sir David SteelTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to implement a Scottish business rate comparable to that of England and Wales.
§ Mr. LangOur policy is to phase in aScottish business rate comparable to that in England and Wales in parallel with the phasing in of the effects of the 1990 revaluation and the national non-domestic rate in England and Wales. This is expected to he completed by 1995 or shortly thereafter. The value of the reduction made in Scottish rate poundages since 1990–91 is equivalent to a reduction of £280 million in this year's rates bill for non-domestic subjects and a further £68 million reduction will be made in 1993–94.