HC Deb 04 February 2004 vol 417 cc951-2W
Mr. Dodds

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions he has had with European Union authorities on the issue of industrial de-rating and state aid. [152206]

Mr. Pearson

None. Industrial de-rating in Northern Ireland predated UK accession to the European Union in 1973. Member states were not required to notify pre accession financial support arrangements.

Mr. Dodds

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the likely impact of industrial de-rating on(a) small and medium-sized and (b) large businesses in Northern Ireland. [152207]

Mr. Pearson

Our assessment on the likely impact on(a) small and medium-sized and (b) large businesses came from a variety of different sources, including studies by DTZ Pieda, Invest NI and the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), as well as submissions made during the public consultation exercise in 2002 by the DETI and DFP Assembly Committees and local economists. The policy paper published in April last year included the Regulatory Impact Assessment, New TSN and Equality Impact Assessment and all this evidence was summarised, analysed and considered objectively and the various options were discussed openly with representatives of the business community before a final decision was taken.

Mr. Dodds

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the likely impact of his decision to rate vacant premises on(a) small and medium-sized and (b) large businesses in Northern Ireland. [152208]

Mr. Pearson

Our assessment on the likely impact on all vacant commercial property, and in particular, small commercial property came from a variety of different sources, including the Regulatory Impact Assessment, New TSN, Equality Impact Assessment, as well as submissions made during the public consultation exercise in 2002 by the DETI and DFP Assembly Committees and submissions from the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) and the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB). All this evidence was summarised, analysed and considered objectively and the various options were discussed openly with representatives of the business community before a final decision was taken. The impact of this measure will be felt by property owners rather than small businesses that tend to rent property and therefore are unlikely to face a vacant rate cost.