§ Mr. Lubbockasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he is aware that local authorities do not exercise their powers to rate vacant property under the Local Government Act, 1966 because by the provision in Section 20(2) of that Act any decision to use those powers is irrevocable for seven years; and if he will enter into consultations with local authority associations with a view to taking steps to reduce this period.
§ Mr. SkeffingtonThe application of the provisions for the rating of unoccupied306W property is not irrevocable for seven years because my right hon. Friend has power to authorise cessation after a shorter period. While it is important that there should be a degree of stability in this matter, my right hon. Friend is prepared to exercise his discretion where an authority can show cogent reasons for this.
§ Mr. Lubbockasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he is aware that local authorities which are getting rate deciency payments do not exercise their power to rate vacant property because they derive no net benefit from using these powers; and if he will introduce legislation providing that rates levied on vacant properties are excluded in the calculation of deficiency payments.
§ Mr. SkeffingtonNo. Forty-eight of the 90 authorities currently operating these provisions are in receipt of the resources element of the rate support grant.