§ Mr. Adam Hunterasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he proposes any future alteration in the rating and valuation system on mining operations carried on by the National Coal Board; and if he will make a statement giving the anticipated cost for the National Coal Board arising from the new system compared with the present one.
§ Mr. MillanPowers are available to me under Section 6 of and Schedule 1 to the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1975 to make an order determining, by a method specified in the order, the aggregate amount of the rateable values of National Coal Board lands and heritages. I have no present intention of initiating the consultation with the National Coal Board and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities which would be preliminary to making such an order, the cost of which for the National Coal Board would depend entirely upon the valuation formula specified.