HC Deb 13 October 1975 vol 897 cc548-9W
Mr. Kilroy-Silk

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce legislation to enable a rating authority to send one rate demand note to each site owner instead of to each occupier of a caravan.

Mr. Oakes

My right hon. Friend hopes to do so as soon as a legislative opportunity presents itself.

Mr. Michael Latham

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the local authorities which have written to him, or otherwise formally indicated to him, that they do not wish to be relieved of the duty of collecting rates on holiday caravans.

Mr. Oakes

I have had no representations to this effect.

Mr. Michael Latham

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many letters he has received from holiday caravan owners protesting against the imposition of domestic rates; and what has been the general nature of his replies.

Mr. Oakes

I have had over 1,200 such letters either directly or through hon. Members. My reply in general reflects my statement to the House of 25th June.

Mr. Michael Latham

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many persons he estimates have now become eligible to pay domestic rates on caravans used for holiday purposes, following their inclusion in valuation lists; and what is the estimated average payment that they will be required to make annually.

Mr. Oakes

About 220,000. The average general rate payment will be about £20, but there will be wide variations around this figure.

Mr. Michael Latham

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will now give details of his proposals for alleviating the staffing and administration difficulties of local authorities newly required to collect domestic rates on holiday caravans.

Mr. Oakes

My right hon. Friend hopes to introduce legislation as soon as an opportunity presents itself.

Mr. David Howell

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what conclusions he has now reached in considering the staff and administrative costs of collecting rates from non-residential caravans; and how he now proposes to ameliorate the position.

Mr. Oakes

My right hon. Friend is convinced that the existing rate collection arrangements can be inefficient and costly. He will be in a position to announce his intentions shortly.

Mr. Thorpe

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when the Government expect to report their recommendations on the rating of caravans.

Mr. Oakes

In the near future.