§ 69. Mr. Paul Deanasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions he has had with representatives of the self-employed about the burden of rates on their businesses.
§ Mr. John SilkinNone, but I have received a large number of letters on this subject from owners of small businesses as part of a campaign organised by the National Chamber of Trade. In reply I have said that, whilst I have a good 627W deal of sympathy with commercial ratepayers any major changes in the rating system must await the report of the Lay-field Committee of Inquiry into Local Government Finance.