§ Mr. Michael Morrisasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will consider proposing making it mandatory for all local authorities to allow small businesses to pay their rates by monthly instalment.
§ Mr. OakesNo. Such a proposal could not be implemented without legislation, and further legislation on rates must await the outcome of the Layfield Inquiry on Local Government Finance. In the meantime, rating authorities were requested in the Department's Circular 73/74 to give sympathetic consideration to requests for instalment facilities from owners of small businesses.