HC Deb 16 May 1961 vol 640 cc127-8W
79. Sir J. Duncan

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will introduce legislation to free berths in shipyards from liability to rates for all periods during which they are empty, in the same way that domestic property is freed from liability while empty under existing legislation.

Mr. Maclay

No. The provisions that exempt unoccupied property from rates apply to all types of property, including shipyards, though they would not apply to individual berths. It is too soon to know whether the effect of revaluation in the shipbuilding industry would justify any special measures.