§ Mr. Kilfedderasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he can give an assurance to ratepayers in the Province that their rates are not liable to be increased by 100 per cent. or thereabouts in 1976.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesThe regional rate in Northern Ireland is fixed by Central Government, whereas the district date is fixed by the district councils. At the present time it is too early to say what the level of rates will be for next year. However there is no need to fear a 100 per cent. increase across the board.
The rates burden per head of population in Northern Ireland is lower than in Great Britain.
§ Mr. Kilfedderasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he has made any calculation of the number of small businesses which are likely to be closed down as a direct consequence of the additional rates burden which they will shortly have to bear; and if he will consider consulting with the various chambers of trade and commerce about the problem.
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§ Mr. ReesI have no evidence on which to base such a calculation. If chambers of trade and commerce are in possession of such evidence, I shall of course be glad to hear from them.
§ Mr. Farrasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to what extent rate demands remain unpaid in South Armagh and in the whole of Northern Ireland; and what steps he has taken to lead to their recovery.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesIt is not possible to state the amount of rates unpaid in any area except at the end of the financial year. In South Armagh the total rate due at 1st April 1975 was £482,000, inclusive of £33,000 arrears brought forward from the previous year. In the first seven months of the financial year, £263,000 or 54.6 per cent. has been paid. In Northern Ireland as a whole, the total rate due at 1st April was £78 million, including £5 million arrears brought forward. At present £42 million, or 54 per cent., has been paid. Enforcement measures are being energetically pursued throughout Northern Ireland.