§ Mr. Alan CampbellTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister what representations his Department has received regarding the concessionary rate reduction allowed for charity shops. [165355]
§ Phil HopeThe Office of the Deputy Prime Minister receives on an intermittent basis correspondence both in favour and against the rate relief granted to charity shops. We have at present no proposal to change the rules governing rate relief for charities. However, as stated in the White Paper Strong Local leadership—Quality Public Services (2001), we will monitor closely the various rate relief schemes.