Rating (NI) Order, 1972

HC Deb 25 October 1972 vol 843 c320W

Captain Orr

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what changes have been made in the draft Rating (NI) Order, 1972, since it was first published; and at whose instigation.

Mr. David Howell

Apart from minor amendments of a drafting nature, one change has been made. In Article 41(2)(b)(ii), the words or for purposes of any charity were inserted following a suggestion received from the Presbyterian Church. The effect of the change is that a church hall qualifies for exemption from rates if it is used for the purposes of the religious body concerned or for the purposes of a charity. The change preserves the effect of a decision of the Lands Tribunal for Northern Ireland.