§ Mr. Beithasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the national average increase in non-domestic rates for this year in England and Wales; and what is the corresponding average increase for the Alnwick and Berwick districts of Northumberland.
§ Mr. OakesNot all authorities have made a return of their rates, but from the information available the average increase in non-domestic rate poundages for England and Wales is estimated to be 40 per cent. The corresponding average increase for Alnwick is 50 per cent. and for Berwick on Tweed 59 per cent.