§ Mr. Powellasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish a detailed statement of the equivalent circumstances in Great Britain on the basis of which the Northern Ireland regional rate for 1976–77 has been struck, including (a) the estimated ratio of average domestic rate to average family income in 1976–77 in the comparable areas and in Northern Ireland, respectively, and (b) the actual average family income in the comparable areas and in Northern Ireland, respectively, when last estimated.
§ Mr Merlyn Rees,pursuant to his replies [Official Report, 11th and 12th February 1976; Vol. 905, c. 245 and 348–9], gave the following information:
In 1974, the last year for which figures are at present available, the corresponding incomes were:
Region Weekly Income £ North 51.51 Yorkshire and Humberside 51.45 Northern Ireland 50.47 For the financial years 1972–73 and 1974–75 the average rate burden on domestic property was:
Average Rate Burden Region 1972/73 £ 1974/75 £ North 48 74 Yorkshire and Humberside 41 64 Northern Ireland 42 48 The figures for the English regions are adjusted to take into account charges for water and sewerage, which are levied separately from the general rate in England but not in Northern Ireland. Firm information as to the average rate burden in the comparable areas is not yet available for 1975–76.
Authorised Completed Occupied Allocated to a tenant Present employment 7 4 1* — 49 — — 1 unit of 4 unit factory 2 unit of 4 unit factory* — * Tenants not previously established in the area.