§ Mr. Beithasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether arrangements have been agreed by his Department in any local authority area in England or Scotland, for rates on caravans to be assessed on a site rather than an individual basis.
§ Mr. OakesNot in England. There is no provision for arrangements of this sort under existing rating law, but my right hon. Friend hopes to introduce legislation very shortly to enable rates to be collected from site owners. The current position in Scotland is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland.
§ Mr. Hicksasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will agree to permitting trailer caravan owners to display weights less than the maximum gross weight as authorised in the Motor Vehicles (Variation of Speed Limits) Regulations 1973 in order to permit them to tow caravans with smaller cars in the interests of fuel economy; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. CarmichaelNo. The possible fuel saving would not justify the risk to road safety.