§ Mrs. EwingTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what steps he has taken to monitor the differential between business rates for hotel properties in Scotland and England; [15520]
(2) if he will commission an investigation into the level of business rates faced by hotels in Scotland and rates for comparable properties in England; [15521]
(3) what representations he has received concerning differences between Scottish and English business rates since 1995. [15522]
§ Mr. Chisholm[holding answer 12 November 1997]: Valuation for rating of non-domestic property in Scotland is the responsibility of local assessors who together with the Valuation Office Agency have assured the Government that the 1995 Revaluation has been carried out using cross-Border harmonised valuation techniques. Representations arising since the revaluation have been received from, amongst others, the caravan industry, the hotel industry and representatives of those providing self-catering accommodation. The majority of difficulties have been resolved through negotiation with the assessors and through the well established formal appeals system. There are no plans to commission an investigation into these matters.