HC Deb 03 March 1993 vol 220 cc193-4W
Mr. Colvin

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) if he will introduce legislation to reform the rating of non-domestic property in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement;

(2) if he will introduce a general revaluation on non-domestic property in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement;

(3) what plans he has to review the valuation of non-domestic property for rating purposes; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Mates

There are no present plans to change or replace the existing arrangements for the rating of the non-domestic sector in Northern Ireland. The case for a revaluation is kept under review and any plans would, as in the past, be announced well in advance.

Mr. Colvin

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many appeals against the rateable value of(a) non-domestic property as a whole and (b) licensed premises have been heard in each year since 1976.

Mr. Mates

Information is available only from 1986–87 and then only in respect of the total number of all appeals, including domestic, decided by the Commissioner of Valuation. It is only possible to distinguish non-domestic property and licensed premises appeals from 1991–92 onwards.

The total number of all appeals decided by the Commissioner in each year was as follows:

Year Number
1986–87 959
1987–88 1,005
1988–89 1,140
1989–90 1,105
1990–91 874
1991–92 702
11992–93 539
1 January 1993

The figure for 1991–92 includes approximately 386 non-domestic appeals of which eight related to licensed premises and that for 1992–93 includes approximately 302 non-domestic appeals of which 14 related to licensed premises.

Mr. Colvin

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what representations he has received about the valuation of non-domestic property in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Mates

The more recent representations ma de about the valuation of non-domestic property in Northern Ireland have mainly concerned individual properties and circumstances affecting the quantum of assessment and distinguishment of the valuation for either derating or exemption from rates.

A number of representations with more general application have been made by district councils about 1 he valuation of municipal leisure centres and residential and nursing homes. Representations have also been made on behalf of the retail licensed trade about problems associated with the method of valuation of licensed premises.

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