HC Deb 20 February 1975 vol 886 cc503-4W
Mr. Geraint Howells

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what percentage of householders paid their rates on demand in each housing authority in Wales during 1974; and what were the percentages in 1972 and 1973, respectively.

Mr. John Morris

This information is not available centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Wyn Roberts

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will issue a circular to local authorities proposing uniformity of practice in the granting of domestic rate relief to owner-occupiers of dwellings, rateably valued as boardinghouses or flatlets and therefore subject to a commercial rates charge, when such dwellings are not used for a commercial purpose but as private dwellings only.

Mr. John Morris

Under existing legislation local authorities are required to grant domestic rate relief for hereditaments used wholly for the purposes of a private dwelling. I do not propose issuing a circular.

Mr. Wyn Roberts

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will take steps to ensure that owner-occupiers of private dwellings, rateably valued as boardinghouses or flatlets and therefore commercially rated, are informed of their right to domestic rate relief when such dwellings are not used for commercial purposes but solely as private dwellings.

Mr. John Morris

I have no plans to mount any general publicity campaign on the matter.

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