§ 59. Mr. Ridleyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what forecast he has made of the average percentage by which domestic rates will rise next year over this year.
§ Mr. John SilkinThe increase my right hon. Friend proposes to make in the rate530W of grant for 1975–76 and the special assistance he will be giving local authorities for 1974–75 should make it possible to keep the average increase in domestic rates in England and Wales down to about 25 per cent. next year.
§ 65. Dr. Hampsonasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take steps to protect ratepayers from the extra costs of the Houghton Committee's recommendations.
§ Mr. John SilkinThe impact of any increases in teachers' salaries will be taken into account in future increase orders under the existing grant arrangements.
§ Mr. Cartwrightasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the estimated figures for 1974–75 in respect of the yield of local rates on household property, the cost of rate rebates, the yield of local rates on all non-domestic property, and the total sums raised by water and sewerage rates, respectively, in England and Wales.
§ Mr. OakesThe information is as follows:
£ million Estimated total domestic rate call 1,215 Estimated total non-domestic rate call 1,735 Estimated total of water rates 190 Estimated total of sewerage charges 320 The figure of £190 million above does not include revenue from non-domestic water supplies charged by meter.
It is not yet possible to make a reliable estimate of the cost of the rate rebate scheme for 1974–75.